Hepatic cirrhosis: magnetic resonance imaging.

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Abstract
The effect of periportal collagen deposition on magnetic resonance images [MRI] and T1 and T2 relaxation times was studied in the rat. Hepatic cirrhosis was induced in 29 rats by chronic intraperitonal thioacetamide injections. Another 14 rats in which liver abnormalities did not develop were used as controls. The rats were imaged using a small-bore resistive magnet. Histologic correlations and hydroxyproline measurements were performed to document the changes in periportal collagen deposition. The T1 and T2 relaxation times, determined both in vivo and in vitro with spectroscopy, were compared between the normal group and the group with moderate to severe histologic evidence of cirrhosis. The deposition of 2-4 times the normal amount of collagen in the liver did not affect the T1 or T2 relaxation time. Relatively pure periportal collagen fibrosis does not appear to affect the MRI or T1 or T2 relaxation times of the rat liver.

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