Comparison of Biopsy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection of Hepatosteatosis in Live Liver Donor Candidates

Abstract

Aim: The presence of hepatosteatosis (HS) in the donor has negative effects on the results of liver transplantation (LT). Therefore, the detection ofdonor HS is vital during the pre-transplant period. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver biopsy and radiological methods in thedetection of HS in live liver donor candidates.Materials and Methods: Two hundred twenty-six healthy individuals who were admitted to Demiroğlu Bilim University as donor candidates for LTwere included in the study. Demographic, histopathological, laboratory and imaging findings of the donors were retrospectively reviewed. Computedtomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the donors were retrospectively reevaluated and liver fat measurements wererecorded.Results: 39% (88) of the patients were female and 61% (138) were male. In the study population, the mean age was 34.3±8.7 years, the meanweight was 78.0±12.6 kg, the mean height was 169.1±9.6 cm, and the mean body mass index was 27.2±4.0. 42% of donors had <5% HS, and 58%of donors had >5% HS in liver biopsy. Both CT and MRI showed significant correlations with biopsy in HS detection (p<0.05).Conclusion: In our study, it was found that MRI correlated with biopsy as much as CT and could be used easily in the detection of HS. The use ofMRI in liver donors may be more appropriate for donor health prior to transplantation.