Hepatic lipid accumulation in healthy subjects: A comparative study using spectral fat‐selective MRI and volume‐localized 1H‐MR spectroscopy

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Fat‐selective MRI was applied to assess the amount and spatial distribution of hepatic lipids (HL) in healthy subjects. The results were compared with those obtained by localized 1H‐MR spectroscopy (MRS). Ninety subjects (23–63 years old) underwent single‐slice fat‐selective MRI with spatial‐spectral excitation and volume‐localized spectroscopy at 1.5 T. HLs were analyzed in ventral and dorsal regions of interest (ROIs) of the liver in fat‐selective images. Spectra were evaluated using the integral signal of methylene and methyl signals. The fat‐selective images showed smooth and homogeneous distribution of HL over the entire cross section of the liver. There was, however, a marked interindividual variability in the amount of HL. MRS revealed a lipid signal fraction between 0.5% and 39.3%. The fat content in the ROIs in images correlated well with the spectroscopic results (r ≥ 0.95). Both techniques provide sufficient sensitivity for a reliable and quantitative assessment of liver steatosis in subjects without liver disease. 1H‐MRS has a higher sensitivity compared to MRI, especially for small amounts of HL, which may be of interest for metabolic interventions. Fat‐selective images provide more spatial information about fat distribution, which makes this technique suitable for clinical imaging of patients with liver disease. Magn Reson Med, 2006.