Work

Simultaneous hepatic iron and fat quantification with dual-energy CT in a rabbit model of coexisting iron and fat

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Liver iron and fat are often co-deposited, synergistically aggravating the progression of chronic liver disease. Accurate determination of liver iron and fat content is helpful for patient management. To assess the accuracy of hepatic iron/fat decomposition using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for simultaneously quantifying hepatic iron and fat when both are present. METHODS: , respectively) were calculated using a 3-material decomposition algorithm. The spectroscopic liver iron concentration (LIC) grading (normal, mild, moderate, severe, and massive iron overload) and the histopathological fat fraction (Fat-ref) grading (normal, mild, moderate, severe steatosis) were used as references. Correlations between the DECT parameters and the references were analyzed. Hepatic iron/fat quantification equations were established and validated. Analysis of covariance was used to assess the influence of fat on iron measurements and vice versa. RESULTS: was unaffected by hepatic iron grades from normal to severe (F=0.18, P=0.91). However, with massive iron overload [>15.0 mg Fe/g (270 µmol/g)] the regression began to deviate, causing fat underestimation (F=5.50, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our DECT-based iron/fat decomposition algorithm accurately measured hepatic iron and fat when both were present in a rabbit model. Hepatic fat may be underestimated when there is massive iron overload.

Source: Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery

DOI: 10.21037/qims-20-902