%0 Journal Article
%T Diagnostic accuracy of an uncorrected native T1 mapping sequence for liver fibrosis and inflammation in autoimmune hepatitis: a prospective study using histopathology as reference standard.
%A Gomes NBN
%A Torres US
%A Caiado AHM
%A Fucuta PS
%A Ferraz MLCG
%A D'Ippolito G
%J Radiol Med
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Aug 6
%M 39106024
%F 6.313
%R 10.1007/s11547-024-01863-2
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>There is an unmet clinical need for non-invasive imaging biomarkers that could replace liver biopsy in the management of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). In this study, we sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a simple uncorrected, non-contrast T1 mapping for detecting fibrosis and inflammation in AIH patients using histopathology as a reference standard.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Over 3 years, 33 patients with AIH were prospectively studied using a multiparametric liver MRI protocol which included T1 mapping. Biopsies were performed up to 3 months before imaging, and a standardized histopathological score for fibrosis (F0-F4) and inflammatory activity (PPA0-4) was used as a reference. Statistical analysis included independent t test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>T1 mapping values were significantly higher in patients with advanced fibrosis (F0-2 vs. F3-4; p < 0.015), significant fibrosis (F0-1 vs. F2-4; p < 0.005), and significant inflammatory activity (PPA 0-1 vs. PPA 2-4 p = 0.048). Moreover, the technique demonstrated a good diagnostic performance in detecting significant (AUC 0.856) and advanced fibrosis (AUC 0.835), as well as significant inflammatory activity (AUC 0.763).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>A rapid, simple, uncorrected, non-contrast T1 mapping sequence showed satisfactory diagnostic performance in comparison with histopathology for detecting significant tissue inflammation and fibrosis in AIH patients, being a potential non-invasive imaging biomarker for monitoring disease activity in such individuals.