Associations Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Scores of Liver Function and Histology in Patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and scores of liver function and histology in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Clinical, pathologic, and MRI findings of 44 PBC patients and 38 control cases with other cirrhosis-causing liver diseases were analyzed retrospectively. The frequencies of highly specific MRI findings of PBC in various Child–Pugh classifications and histologic stages were compared. The frequencies of finding the periportal halo sign, decreased number and stenosis of intrahepatic bile ducts, and lymphadenopathy in PBC patients were significantly different from controls (all Ps < 0.05). The frequencies of finding the periportal halo sign and a decreased number and stenosis of intrahepatic bile ducts also significantly differed according to Child–Pugh classification and histologic stage (Ps < 0.05). In particular, both measures were significantly different in patients with Child–Pugh A cirrhosis compared to those with B and C classifications (Ps < 0.05), and between histologic stage I/II and III/IV (Ps < 0.05). In contrast, the frequency of lymphadenopathy did not differ among groups. The periportal halo sign, decreased number and stenosis of intrahepatic bile ducts, and lymphadenopathy are highly specific MRI findings for PBC. The periportal halo sign and decreased number and stenosis of intrahepatic bile ducts are more common in decompensated hepatitis cirrhosis and advanced histologic stages of PBC, and may be helpful in the evaluation and classification of hepatic function and pathologic staging of PBC patients.