Hepatic enhancement of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced 3 Tesla MR imaging: Assessing severity of liver cirrhosis

Purpose To evaluate the usefulness of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced MR imaging in assessing the severity of cirrhosis and liver function. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 120 patients who underwent Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced 3 Tesla (T) MR imaging (normal liver, n = 30; Child‐Pugh class A, n = 30; B, n = 30; and C, n = 30). Groups were matched for underlying disease, age (±5 years), gender, and creatinine (±0.05 mg/dL). Contrast enhancement index (CEI) was calculated and compared between normal and cirrhosis groups. We analyzed the correlation between hepatic function parameters and CEI at hepatobiliary phase (HP). Results The degree and time course of hepatic enhancement significantly differed between normal and each cirrhosis group (P < 0.001). Mean CEI at HP constantly and significantly decreased as the severity of cirrhosis increased (P < 0.001). Total bilirubin (P = 0.022), albumin (P < 0.001), platelet count (P = 0.04), and Model for End Stage Liver Disease score (P = 0.01) were independent predictors of hepatic enhancement at HP. Conclusion The degree of hepatic enhancement on Gd‐EOB‐DTPA indicates the severity of cirrhosis and is correlated with hepatic function parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1339–1345.