Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a non-ionizing radiation imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create highly detailed pictures of soft tissues, including muscles, fat and internal organs. Because it produces significantly clearer, more intricate images than other exams, MRI is the preferred imaging tool to measure the elasticity of the liver. MRI elastography enables your medical care team to evaluate the presence and severity of any stiffness caused by inflammation or scarring of the liver.
The earlier the detection of liver disease, the better the chances of successful disease reversal or management. The good news is that, when caught early, liver fibrosis may be substantially, even fully, reversible.
WHAT IS FIBROSIS?
Fibrosis is the main indicator of chronic liver disease, which affects millions of Americans. The primary causes of liver fibrosis are heavy alcohol intake, hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and, less commonly, etiologies like cancer and primary hepatic amyloidosis. The risk of developing liver disease increases with age, high BMI, and certain metabolic diseases like diabetes.
Early liver disease may produce no symptoms, so it often goes undiagnosed until it causes problems like weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, and confusion. In most cases, lifestyle changes and/or medication may be employed to help stop or slow fibrosis from progressing. Permanent liver scarring, or cirrhosis, is irreversible, but successful management can greatly extend life expectancy and quality, so MRI imaging may be beneficial even in later stages of liver disease.
HOW DOES MRI ELASTOGRAPHY WORK?
MRI elastography works on the principle that healthy tissues are more elastic than diseased or fibrotic tissues. MRI elastography uses computer assistance to measure how low frequency vibrations move through liver tissue. The imaging procedure generates color-coded maps, identifying softer tissues with warmer colors like red and yellow, and stiffer areas with cooler tones like blue and green. This visual representation aids in quickly identifying abnormal places within the liver for early disease detection, and enables your radiologist and referring clinician to rapidly compare results with previous tests, so even small changes can be easily identified.
By scaling liver fibrosis from F0 (no fibrosis) to F4 (cirrhosis), MRI elastography helps your healthcare team determine the right interventional therapies based on your case, assess your response to treatment, and monitor any signs of disease progression.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO HAVE MRI ELASTOGRAPHY?
MRI elastography is easier to prepare for than many tests, and may allow you to avoid a more invasive and uncomfortable needle biopsy to diagnose liver disease. In most cases, you can take your normal medications as usual, though you may be instructed to avoid food and sugary beverages 6-8 hours beforehand. You’ll be notified before your appointment if your test will require the use of an injectable contrast agent.
For the exam, you will lie down on a moveable table that slides into the MRI machine. A paddle-shaped device will be placed over your abdomen to direct vibrations to the liver. To acquire the images, the moveable table will vibrate very quickly, which can be startling for some patients. However, such vibrations are only for a small portion of the test. You will also be asked to hold your breath for brief periods while images are captured. Because MRI imaging tends to be noisy, headphones can be provided for your comfort so you can listen to music throughout the exam. In most cases, the process takes under an hour. Once your radiologist analyses and creates a report of the findings, it will be sent to your referring clinician, who will notify you and explain your results.
MRI ELASTOGRAPHY AT RAO
For optimal detail, accuracy and scanning speed, RAO offers high-field MRI elastography at our Medical Imaging Center, which is fully accredited in MRI technology by the American College of Radiology for safety, accuracy and best practice standards. Our team of Board-certified radiologists includes doctors who subspecialize in diagnostic and MRI imaging for ultimate accuracy and effective collaboration with your medical care team.
If you or your doctor believe you may be at elevated risk of liver disease, have an honest conversation about whether MRI elastography might be right for you. Early discovery can make all the difference in the comfort, quality and length of your life.
