Diffusion analysis with triexponential function in hepatic steatosis

Our purpose was to assess the influence of liver steatosis on diffusion by triexponential analysis. Thirty-three patients underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with multiple b values for perfusion-related diffusion, fast free diffusion, and slow restricted diffusion coefficients ( D p , D f , D s ) and fractions ( F p , F f , F s ). They also underwent dual-echo gradient-echo imaging for measurement of the hepatic fat fraction (HFF). Of these, 13 patients were included in the control group and 20 in the fatty liver group with HFF >5 %. The parameters of the two groups were compared by use of the Mann–Whitney U test. The relationships between diffusion coefficients and HFFs were assessed by use of the Pearson correlation. D p and D f were reduced significantly in the steatotic liver group compared with those in the control group ( D p = 27.72 ± 6.61 × 10 −3 vs. 33.33 ± 6.47 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s, P = 0.0072; D f = 1.70 ± 0.53 × 10 −3 vs. 2.06 ± 0.40 × 10 −3 mm 2 /s, P = 0.0224). There were no significant differences in the other parameters between the two groups. Furthermore, D p and D f were correlated with HFF ( P