Comparison of liver stiffness measurement with MRE and liver and spleen volumetry for prediction of disease severity and hepatic decompensation in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Purpose: To compare liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and liver and spleen volumetry for prediction of disease severity and hepatic decompensation in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRE studies were reviewed, and mean LSM of entire liver, right lobe and left lobe, total liver, right lobe, left lobe, caudate lobe, and spleen volumes were calculated. Qualitative evaluation of lobar atrophy or hypertrophy and presence of macronodular regeneration (MNR) was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate correlations between LSM, volumetry measurements, and Mayo risk score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to predict hepatic decompensation.

Results: A total of 266 patients with PSC were included in the study. Lobar stiffness measures were higher in the presence of relative lobe atrophy. Mean LSM was higher in the presence of MNR. Significant correlations were observed between mean LSM and volumetry measurements with a fair correlation between LSM and spleen volume (r = 0.526, p < 0.0001). Among the measurements, the best correlation was observed between mean LSM and Mayo risk score (r = 0.646, p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analyses, mean LSM and Mayo risk score were significantly associated with liver decompensation (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95%CI 1.02-1.36 and hazard ratio, 1.65; 95%CI 1.08-2.53, respectively).

Conclusion: LSM with MRE performs significantly better than liver and spleen volumes for prediction of both disease severity and hepatic decompensation.