The Application of Parametric Micro-Flow Imaging in the Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis.

This study aims to investigate the application of parametric micro-flow imaging in the evaluation of liver fibrosis. From March 2013 to February 2014, 117 participants were recruited in this research prospectively, which includes 97 patients (who have been infected with hepatitis B virus or/and hepatitis C virus and have undergone liver biopsy) and 20 healthy volunteers. Contrast agent was injected as a bolus via the antecubital vein for the participants. Dynamic images of intercostal liver were collected and then divided into 30-second (30s) group and 10-second (10s) group. Color coding and quantitative analysis were performed, and related parameters were obtained and analyzed with the stage of liver fibrosis. The comparison of parameters between the stages of liver fibrosis was that the value of 30s slope reduced and the value of 10s slope increased with the increasing fibrosis stages. The value of 30s ratio at 5 seconds and 10s ratio at 5 seconds both increased with the increasing fibrosis stages. Receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained to evaluate the cutoff values and diagnosibility of parameters to predict F2 and higher or F3 and higher of fibrosis stages. The results show that parametric micro-flow imaging has potential value of guiding antiviral therapy for patients with viral hepatitis and evaluating the degree of improvement in liver fibrosis.