Optimized DWI-based virtual MR elastography for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of focal liver lesions

IF 3.2 3区医学 Q1 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

European Journal of Radiology Pub Date : 2025-07-05 DOI:10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.112285

Xutong Huang , Wenxin Ma , Shixian Lu , Yu Cui , Zhiwei Qin , Wenli Tan , Lingying Huang , Jie Yuan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to develop and evaluate an optimized DWI-based virtual MR elastography (vMRE) technique for diagnosing focal liver lesions (FLLs) and monitoring therapeutic responses in malignant tumors, comparing its performance with traditional MRE.

Materials and methods

This retrospective analysis of 142 patients with FLLs using six b-value DWI (150–1500 s/mm2) to calculate eight apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) combinations. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between ADC and traditional MRE, and a vMRE formula was constructed. Diagnostic performance of vMRE and MRE was compared for FLLs. Prognostic capabilities of both techniques were assessed in malignant tumors using paired t-tests across three response groups at two time points.

Results

Significant negative correlations were found between ADC values and MRE stiffness (all P < 0.001), and strongest at b = 200/1500 s/mm² (rho = − 0.785). vMRE and MRE effectively differentiated benign/malignant lesions (AUCs: 0.957 vs. 0.944, P = 0.440), with vMRE showing higher specificity (95.1 % vs. 85.4 %) and MRE better sensitivity (89.2 % vs. 86.3 %). Longitudinal analysis revealed MRE detected earlier stiffness reductions in partial responders (−31.0 %, P = 0.01), while vMRE showed a non-significant decrease (−12.5 %, P > 0.05). Both modalities identified significant stiffness escalation in progressors (vMRE + 40.1 %, MRE + 43.7 %, both P < 0.01) but not in stable disease (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Optimized DWI-based vMRE effectively differentiates FLLs, offering high specificity for diagnosis and comparable prognostic capabilities to MRE in monitoring malignant tumor responses.

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优化基于dwi的虚拟MR弹性成像用于局灶性肝脏病变的诊断和治疗监测

本研究旨在开发和评估一种优化的基于dwi的虚拟磁共振弹性成像（vMRE）技术，用于诊断局灶性肝脏病变（FLLs）和监测恶性肿瘤的治疗反应，并将其与传统的MRE进行比较。材料与方法采用6种b值DWI （150 ~ 1500 s/mm2）对142例fll患者进行回顾性分析，计算8种表观扩散系数（ADC）组合。通过线性回归分析，评估ADC与传统MRE的相关性，并构建vMRE公式。比较vMRE和MRE对fll的诊断效果。在三个反应组的两个时间点上，使用配对t检验评估两种技术在恶性肿瘤中的预后能力。结果ADC值与MRE刚度呈显著负相关(P <；0.001),和最强的s / b = 200/1500平方毫米(ρ=−0.785)。vMRE和MRE能有效鉴别良恶性病变（auc: 0.957比0.944,P = 0.440）， vMRE的特异性更高（95.1%比85.4%），MRE的敏感性更高（89.2%比86.3%）。纵向分析显示，MRE检测到部分响者较早的刚度降低（- 31.0%,P = 0.01），而vMRE显示无显著降低(- 12.5%,P >；0.05)。两种模式都发现进展者的刚度显著增加(vMRE + 40.1%, MRE + 43.7%, P <；0.01)，但病情稳定者没有(P >；0.05)。结论优化后的基于dwi的vMRE可有效鉴别fll，具有较高的诊断特异性，在监测恶性肿瘤反应方面具有与MRE相当的预后能力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Radiology 医学-核医学

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

3.00%

发文量

398

审稿时长

42 days

期刊介绍： European Journal of Radiology is an international journal which aims to communicate to its readers, state-of-the-art information on imaging developments in the form of high quality original research articles and timely reviews on current developments in the field. Its audience includes clinicians at all levels of training including radiology trainees, newly qualified imaging specialists and the experienced radiologist. Its aim is to inform efficient, appropriate and evidence-based imaging practice to the benefit of patients worldwide.