MR elastography inspires new wave of hepatic imaging

August 1, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. MR elastography inspires new wave of hepatic imaging Technique achieves 97% negative predictive value for ruling out fibrois to avoid unnecessary liver biopsies BY JAYANT A. TALWALKAR, M.D., MPH, AND MENG YIN, PH.D. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just in time for a looming onset of new liver disease, MR elastography has arrived to employ principles as old as palpation and as new as cross-sectional imaging to create an accurate, noninvasive way to diagnose and stage hepatic fibrosis and other liver disorders. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are major public health problems worldwide. In 2004, these conditions were associated with nearly 40,000 deaths and a cost of at least $1.4 billion for medical services in the U.S. alone. Furthermore, these figures are expected to increase based on an aging population, the growing epidemic of obesity, and the continuing trend toward end-stage liver disease among individuals with chronic hepatitis C.1

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