Hepatobiliary phase images using gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid-enhanced MRI as an imaging surrogate for the albumin–bilirubin grading system

Objectives: To clarify the correlation between hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images using gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) and albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grading system. Materials and methods: We evaluated 220 consecutive patients who underwent liver magnetic resonance imaging with Gd-EOB-DTPA. Quantitative liver–spleen contrast ratio (Q-LSC) was calculated in HBP images approximately 20 min after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration. To evaluate the degree of association between Q-LSC and ALBI grade, the Child–Pugh (C-P) score was used for comparison. Correlation coefficients were calculated, and median Q-LSC values were compared with the C-P scores and ALBI grades. The Steel–Dwass multiple comparison test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The correlation coefficient between Q-LSC and C-P score was −0.35, P < 0.0001, and the ALBI grade was −0.61, P < 0.0001. Q-LSC of overall median, C-P A, B, and C were 1.94, 1.91, 1.96, and 1.33, respectively. The differences between C-P A and C-P B, C-P B and C-P C, and C-P A and C-P C were P = 0.999, 0.126, and 0.149, respectively. Q-LSC of the overall median, ALBI grade 1, 2, and 3 were 1.94, 2.12, 1.69, and 1.30, respectively. The differences between ALBI grades 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 1 and 3 were P < 0.0001, P = 0.0466, and P = 0.0035, respectively. Q-LSC was better correlated and discriminated by ALBI grade than C-P score. Conclusion: A strong correlation was observed between Q-LSC of an HBP image with Gd-EOB-DTPA and ALBI grade; HBP imaging could be a surrogate for the ALBI grade.