Hyun Joo Shin MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hyun Gi Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Myung-Joon Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hong Koh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mi-Jung Lee MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Measurement of hepatic fat fraction (%) using dual- and triple-echo gradient-recalled-echo sequences is an easy way to evaluate fatty liver even in children. However, the normal range of hepatic fat fraction on these sequences in children is not known yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate normal range of hepatic fat fraction on these sequences in healthy children.

We retrospectively reviewed children who visited our medical check-up clinic for last two years. Age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, and laboratory findings including liver function tests, cholesterol, and triglyceride level were reviewed. Hepatic fat fraction (%) was measured on the dual- and triple-echo gradient-recalled-echo sequences of our routine check-up MR protocol performed at 3T. We excluded children with abnormal laboratory finding or overweight (body mass index more than 25 kg/m2). Paired t-test was used to compare dual and triple fat fraction. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to evaluate the correlation between fat fraction and clinical or laboratory findings.

Among the total 72 children visited our clinic during the study period, 18 were excluded due to the abnormal laboratory findings or overweight. The enrolled 54 children (M:F = 26:28) were 5-15 years old with a mean of 9 years. Dual fat fraction (range 0.1-8.0%, mean 2.3 ± 2.0 %) was lower than triple fat fraction (range 0.4-6.5%, mean 2.9 ± 1.4 %) (p=0.006). Eight children (8/54, 15%) on dual and six children (6/54, 11%) on triple-echo sequences showed more than 5% fat fraction. In the correlation analysis, only dual fat fraction and triglyceride level was correlated significantly (Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.314, p=0.021).

The upper limit of normal hepatic fat fraction was 8% on dual- and 6.5% on triple-echo sequences. Dual fat fraction was lower than triple fat fraction and correlated with triglyceride level in healthy children.

Knowing normal range of hepatic fat fraction using dual- and triple-echo gradient-recalled-echo sequences of MRI is important for accurate diagnosis of fatty liver in children.

Shin, H, Kim, H, Kim, M, Koh, H, Lee, M, Normal Range of Hepatic Fat Fraction in Dual- and Triple-echo Fat Quantification MR in Healthy Children.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14003993.html