Abstract #0090

Merriman R, Vigneron D, Qayyum A, Noworolski S

A single-shot fast spin-echo diffusion tensor imaging sequence and proton MR spectroscopy were applied to the liver in 10 healthy subjects and 12 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Directionally-averaged apparent diffusion coefficient (Dav) and total lipids:water were compared to each other and to histopathological steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis measures. In general, Dav decreased and lipids:water increased with increasing steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. When combined, Dav and lipids:water completely separated steatosis grades. Subjects with higher fibrosis stage(2-3) had low Dav and high lipids:water for given steatosis grades. MR diffusion and MRS have promise for the noninvasive evaluation of NAFLD.