Science to Practice: can we diagnose nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MR imaging?

Abstract

By showing that intravoxel incoherent motion parameters at diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be indicators of the microcirculatory changes in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fatty liver disease, Joo et al have taken a step forward in the validation of quantitative MR imaging parameters as biomarkers of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fatty liver disease. Further steps, including standardization, validation, and multiparametric imaging, must be taken before these parameters can be used as biomarkers in clinical practice.