Magnetic resonance elastography is a recently introduced technique in order to avoid the problem of performing liver biopsies: with this method, the difference in elasticity of liver parenchyma (and consequently the presence and the extension of a possible fibrosis) is calculated through the analysis of the passage of acoustic waves through the liver. In this trial, some French researchers have compared MR elastography with two further non-invasive approaches for the staging of liver fibrosis: transient elastography and the APRI index (relation between AST and platelets) in 141 patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver biopsy. In 45 subjects, biopsy, MR and transient technique did not give any results, so 96 cases remained to be analyzed. MR elastography showed itself statistically better than transient elastography and APRI index in distinguishing the stage of fibrosis, keeping liver biopsy as a gold standard. The sensitiveness of the examination ranged from 85% to 100% and its specificity ranged from 95% to 97%, according to the various considered evaluation parameters: absence or presence of fibrosis in general, greater or lower fibrosis stage, presence of fibrosis or further abnormalities.
