Meng Yin1, Jayant A. Talwalkar2, Sudhakar K. Venkatesh3, Richard L. Ehman1
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; 2Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology , Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; 3Diagnostic Radiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
This preliminary investigation provides evidence that MRE-assessed hepatic stiffness in patients with chronic liver disease has a dynamic component that can increase following a test meal. This may reflect the transient increase in portal pressure that is known to occur in some of these patients postprandially. If confirmed, these findings will provide motivation for further studies to determine the potential value of assessing postprandial hepatic stiffness augmentation for predicting progression of fibrotic disease and the development of portal varices. The technique may also provide new insights into the natural history and pathophysiology of chronic liver disease.
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