Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced T1 mapping to evaluate liver damage caused by Clonorchis sinensis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to explore the feasibility of Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) T1 mapping for evaluating liver damage caused by Clonorchis sinensis infection in rabbit models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two rabbits were randomly divided into a control group (n = 10), mild infection group (n = 12), moderate infection group (n = 9), and severe infection group (n = 11). All rabbits underwent an magnetic resonance imaging scan and pathological examination to obtain the relaxation time before Gd-EOB-DTPA enhancement and the relaxation time after Gd-EOB-DTPA enhancement at intervals of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 min. The Ishak score was used to evaluate the inflammation and fibrosis of the liver. RESULTS: The severity of C. sinensis infection was positively correlated with liver inflammation. The T1 relaxation time of liver increased with increasing inflammation. The highest correlation was recorded between inflammation and the T1 relaxation time at 30 min (P = 0.001). After enhancement, The T1 relaxation time has a significant difference between the severe infection group and control group and between the severe infection group and mild infection group. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve showed that the T1 relaxation time was the most effective parameter for diagnosing the degree of inflammation at 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1 mapping can be used to evaluate the liver damage caused by C. sinensis infection.