Biomedical Research

Objective: We sought to analyse the value of the multi-slice spiral CT portography combined with functional Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging observation of brain activity on the degree of liver cirrhosis and the occurrence risk of Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE).

Methods: 68 cases of liver cirrhosis selected from our hospital during March, 2011-March, 2014 were divided into mild HE group (n=26), severe HE group (n=19) and non HE group (n=23) according to the degree of HE while another 30 cases of healthy individuals were also chosen as normal control group. All the subjects accepted multi- slice spiral CT portography combined with functional MR examination. Compared angiographic results with brain activity test results to analyse its value on the degree of liver cirrhosis indication and HE prediction.

Results: The multi-slice spiral CT portography, which has a good display effect on liver cirrhosis, can clearly indicate the intravenous course and the extent of disease; compared with the normal control group, patients were with significantly thicker vein diameter (p<0.05), while there were no significant differences in vein diameter when compared between patient groups (p>0.05); CT portography results classification: 28 cases for grade one, 30 cases for grade two and 10 cases for grade 3, no significant differences compared with Child-pugh grade (p<0.05); there were differences for the ALFF results in several brain regions between groups.

Conclusion: The multi-slice spiral CT portography can clearly show liver morphology and changes in collateral circulation. It also helps determine the severity of cirrhosis. The functional Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is helpful to identify the abnormal state of neuronal activity in brain regions and to judge the degree of HE and the risk of getting this disease.

Author(s): Xue Feng Jiang, Lei Ding, Yuan Tian
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