Evaluation of Hepatic Fibrosis Using Intravoxel Incoherent Motion in Diffusion-Weighted Liver MRI

Objectives To determine whether intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)-diffusion-weighted image (DWI)-derived parameters showed better diagnostic performance than the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC(total)) for the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis (HF). Methods This retrospective study was approved by institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Fifty-five patients with chronic liver disease who had undergone IVIM-DWI using 8 b-values at 3 T were included. True diffusion coefficient (D-t), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D-p), perfusion fraction (f), and ADC(total) were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for all parameters for the HF staging. Results All parameters showed a significant correlation with the HF stages (-0.31 to -0.72, P < 0.05). All parameters were significantly higher in F0 to F1 than in F4 (P < 0.05). The D-p showed better performance than the ADC(total) in differentiating significant HF (>= F2) from F0 to F1. Conclusions The IVIM-derived parameters and ADC(total) showed significant correlation with HF. The D-p showed better diagnostic performance for differentiating significant HF than did ADC(total).