Diagnostic value of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced hepatocyte-phase magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating hepatic fibrosis and hepatitis

Figure 1 Transverse T1-vibe fat-suppressed (A and B) and T1-vibe fat-suppressed hepatocyte phase of Gd-BOPTA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (C and D) in a patient with S1 hepatic fibrosis. SI pre = (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4)/4 in A and B; SI post = (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4)/4 in C and D; RE = (SI post-SI pre)/SI pre.

Figure 2 Schematic diagram of staging of hepatic fibrosis. S1: Portal fibrosis characterized by mild fibrous expansion of portal tracts; S2: Periportal fibrosis showing fine strands of connective tissue in zone 1 with only rare portal-portal septa; S3: Septal fibrosis manifested by connective tissue bridges that link portal tracts with other portal tracts and central veins; minimally distorted architecture, but no regenerative nodules; S4: Cirrhosis showing bridging fibrosis and nodular regeneration.

Figure 3 Schematic diagram of grading of hepatitis. G1: Minimal activity with mild portal inflammation but scant piecemeal necrosis; G2: Mild activity with mild portal inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, and scant lobular spotty necrosis; G3: Moderate activity with moderate portal inflammation and lobular spotty necrosis; G4: Severe activity with marked portal inflammation, brisk piecemeal necrosis, and areas of confluent necrosis resulting in bridging.

Figure 4 The correlation between relative enhancement ratio in the hepatocyte phase and the stage of hepatic fibrosis. REh: Relative enhancement ratio in the hepatocyte phase.

Figure 5 The correlation between relative enhancement ratio in the hepatocyte phase and the grade of hepatitis. REh: Relative enhancement ratio in the hepatocyte phase.