Diffusion-weighted MRI-based Virtual Elastography for the Assessment of Liver Fibrosis

Motivation: Liver biopsy is considered the reference standard for liver fibrosis quantification, however, noninvasive techniques are the emerging focus in this field. Elasticity values based on Diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI–based virtual elastography has been confirmed of a highly correlation with MR elastography. Goal(s): Assess the usefulness of DW MRI-based virtual MR elastography in the evaluation of fibrosis. Approach: We compared the diagnostic performance of elasticity values based on virtual MR elastography(μDiff), US elastography (Fibroscan) and serum markers for identifying significant liver fibrosis. Results: μDiff were significantly different between non-significant and significant fibrosis, and slightly accurate than Fibroscan for depiction of significant fibrosis. Impact: Diffusion-weighted MRI–based virtual elastography was confirmed with good agreement with shear modulus measured at MR elastography. Our study found that virtual modulus were significantly different between non-significant and significant liver fibrosis and appeared to preoperative prediction of liver fibrosis.