Ahmed Abdel Razek, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ahmed Abdalla, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Adel Elbadrawy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ashraf Abdel Rahman, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Samia Monier, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mohammed Ezz, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Magdy Sady, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine the role of diffusion weighted echoplanar MR imaging in pediatric patients with diffuse liver diseases.

Diffusion weighted MR of the liver was performed in 54 pediatric patients (15M, 7F aged 2ms-15ys: mean 12ys) with diffuse liver diseases and 10 age matched healthy volunteers. Diffusion MR weighted imaging was done on a 1.5tesla unit using a single shot echo planar imaging. Hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were performed by acquiring all sequences with b values of 0,500 % 1000 sec/mm2. The mean ADC value of the liver was calculated. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed with a median delay of 10 days within MR imaging. The mean ADC values correlated with histopathological results & Child-Pugh scores.

Adequate ADC map was obtained in 51 patients. The mean ADC value of the liver in cirrhotic patients was 1.44±0.12x10-3mm2/sec and in patients with hepatic fibrosis was 1.34± 0.08. The mean ADC value for hepatic metabolic disease was 0.68±0.34 in Wilson disease, 0.86±0.34 in Gauchers disease, 1.11±0.08 in glycogen storage disease, 1.19±0.34 in hemochromatosis and 1.13±0.08 in steatosis. The mean ADC value of congested liver was 1.23±0.08 and in patients with budd-chiari syndrome was 1.27±0.08. There was statistically difference in the mean ADC values of cirrhosis, metabolic & vascular liver diseases and normal volunteers (p<0.03). Also, there was significant difference in ADC value between various causes of metabolic liver disease (p<0.004). Significant correlation was observed between the mean ADC values and Child-Pugh scores (r=0.89).

Apparent diffusion coefficient value is a new non-invasive parameter that may help in diagnosis and characterization of diffuse liver diseases in pediatric patients.

Abdel Razek, A, Abdalla, A, Elbadrawy, A, Abdel Rahman, A, Monier, S, Ezz, M, Sady, M, et al, , Role of Diffusion-weighted Echo-planar MR Imaging in Pediatric Patients with Diffuse Liver Diseases.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4404544.html