The Value of Monomer Hydrogen Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectra in the Diagnosis of Liver Benign and Malignant Lesions

Abstract

The early diagnosis and treatment of liver disease are very important in clinics. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a non-invasive 'window' on the biochemical processes in the body. This study deployed research based on application of monomer element 1HMRS in the diagnosis of benign or malignant liver lesions. Patients with different liver diseases were recruited along with healthy controls. GE Signa Twinspeed 1.5T MRI was performed on livers along with monomeric hydrogen MRS, followed by SAGE software analysis. In healthy patient's livers, both choline and lipid peaks were observed under MRS, with occasionally glutamine and glutamic acid complex (Glx) peak and glucogen and glucose complex (Glu) peak. Malignant liver lesions had significantly elevated choline peak and choline/lipid ratio compared to control or benign lesions (P < 0.05). The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI against malignant tumors were 89.4%, 86.2% and 91.1%, respectively. These figures for choline/lipid and MRI plus choline/lipid were 87.2%, 92.3% and 90.1%, and 94.1%, 89.1% and 90.4%, respectively. Our study shows that monomeric hydrogen proton MRS might be used as the diagnostic evidences for malignant liver diseases, especially for choline peak level and choline/lipid ratio. However, large cohort multi-center study is required to confirm the findings in the future.