Publication

Segment-resolved assessment of hydration effects on liver water-specific T1 in comparison with T1-MOLLI and transient elastography

2026

Abstract

Background: Quantitative liver T1 mapping is a promising noninvasive biomarker for diffuse liver disease, but it is influenced by physiological variability. Hydration alters tissue water content and perfusion, yet its effect on liver water-specific T1 (wT1) remains poorly characterized, particularly across liver segments. Prior studies relied on single-slice acquisitions, limiting assessment of spatial heterogeneity. The objective is to assess hydration-related changes in liver wT1 across all Couinaud segments using an accelerated multi-slice technique and to compare results with single-slice T1-modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (T1-MOLLI) and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE).

Methods: Twenty-nine healthy adults underwent blood sampling, VCTE, and liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after an ≥8-hour fast without fluid intake and again after ingestion of 1 L of water followed by a 1-hour equilibration period. Multi-slice wT1 mapping was performed using a Dixon-based continuous inversion-recovery Look-Locker (CIR-LL) sequence covering the entire liver in a single breath-hold. Single-slice T1-MOLLI and whole-liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and T2* mapping were acquired for comparison. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed on PDFF, T2*, and wT1 maps in all liver segments. Statistical analysis included intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; [2, 1]), linear regression, Pearson correlation coefficients Bland-Altman plots and paired two-sided t-tests.

Results: Hydration resulted in a higher global increase in mean liver wT1 (before: 773.4±63.2 ms, after: 800.3±66 ms) than T1-MOLLI (before: 853±68.8 ms, after: 861.6±55.9 ms). PDFF, T2*, and liver stiffness varied modestly within the physiological range. For liver stiffness, T1-MOLLI, and wT1, measurements obtained before and after hydration showed good agreement, with wT1 (y=0.9x+80.5, r=0.89, P

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2026

Abstract

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) until renamed in 2023 by a global consensus panel composed mostly of hepatology researchers and clinicians. The term metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is also used. MAFLD is excessive fat build-up in the liver without another clear cause such as alcohol use.

Liver

The liver is a major metabolic organ only found in vertebrate animals, which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. In humans, it is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, below the diaphragm and mostly shielded by the lower right rib cage. Its other metabolic roles include carbohydrate metabolism, the production of hormones, conversion and storage of nutrients such as glucose and glycogen, and the decomposition of red blood cells.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis, also known as liver cirrhosis or hepatic cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease, is the impaired liver function caused by the formation of scar tissue known as fibrosis due to damage caused by liver disease. Damage to the liver leads to repair of liver tissue and subsequent formation of scar tissue. Over time, scar tissue can replace normal functioning tissue, leading to the impaired liver function of cirrhosis. The disease typically develops slowly over months or years.

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