The goal of this study is to evaluate non-invasive imaging techniques for determining liver steatosis (fat), inflammation (abnormal tissue swelling), and fibrosis (abnormal tissue scarring).In addition, the study group will be using other test measures including personal demographics, laboratory blood test results, and imaging measurements to determine the severity of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), inflammation, and fibrosis.
The study group proposes to evaluate the role of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the determination of steatohepatitis and in combination with MRI for detection, differentiation and quantitation of liver steatosis, steatohepatitis and fibrosis in correlation to liver biopsy. Patient enrolled in this will already have had their liver biopsy or will be undergoing liver biopsy as a part of their clinical care as determined by their provider and will not be getting biopsies solely to be enrolled in the study. Current treatment options for patients that liver biopsy is being performed are limited to lifestyle changes and vitamin E for patients without diabetes.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
120
This imaging method uses radiotracers for functional analysis of liver inflammation. It does involve placement of an intravenous catheter and a radiotracer. One blood sample (10cc) will be drawn after PET scan using a butterfly method with the time recorded. The blood sample will be centrifuged in the Main Hospital to get the plasma and a well counter will be used to calculate the radioactivity in the plasma as per established protocol. Potential risks from an intravenous catheter insertion and blood draw include pain, minimal blood loss and local erythema. Radiotracer exposure from FDG-PET is minimal and has been well-characterized. Radiation Use Committee approval has been obtained for FDG-PET use.
Novel non-invasive MRI based tools to assess liver fat and fibrosis. Potential risks include a sensation of claustrophobia. No contrast dye is used and thus no risk of contrast allergy. Inflammation of the liver may be assessed by MRI software after processing of images and does not require additional patient involvement or change in MRI protocol.
University of California Davis Medical Center
Sacramento, California, United States
PET scan parameters correlated with biopsy findings
PET scan parameters correlated with biopsy findings (NAFLD Activity Score as per NASH-CRN)
Time frame: one year
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Similar to the regular PET-Scan, this imaging method uses radiotracers to scan multiple organs of the body. It does involve placement of an intravenous catheter and a radiotracer. One blood sample (10cc) will be drawn after PET scan using a butterfly method with the time recorded. The blood sample will be centrifuged in the Main Hospital to get the plasma and a well counter will be used to calculate the radioactivity in the plasma as per established protocol. Potential risks from an intravenous catheter insertion and blood draw include pain, minimal blood loss and local erythema. Radiotracer exposure from FDG-PET is minimal and has been well-characterized. Radiation Use Committee approval has been obtained for FDG-PET use.