Liver histology and diffusion-weighted MRI in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A MAGNET study

To determine potential associations between histologic features of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and estimated quantitative magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters.This prospective, cross-sectional study was performed as part of the Magnetic Resonance Assessment Guiding NAFLD Evaluation and Treatment (MAGNET) ancillary study to the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN). Sixty-four children underwent a 3T DWI scan (b-values: 0, 100, and 500 s/mmEstimated means ± standard deviations were: ADC: 1.3 (0.94-1.8) × 10In children with NAFLD, steatosis and fibrosis have independent effects on DWI-estimated parameters ADC, D, and F. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of these effects.1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1149-1158.