Comparative diagnostic performance of liver shear stiffness and relative liver enhancement in the detection of decompensated cirrhosis

Motivation: Early identification of decompensated cirrhosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes, yet it remains a significant challenge. Goal(s): This study aims to compare the diagnostic performance of liver shear stiffness (LSS) measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) with relative liver enhancement (RLE) following gadoxetic acid administration in the context of cirrhosis decompensation. Approach: The diagnostic performance of LSS for detecting decompensated cirrhosis was evaluated and compared to that of RLE. Results: LSS was identified as an independent risk factor for decompensated cirrhosis, whereas RLE did not demonstrate this association. Impact: In this study, LSS measured by MRE was shown to be a non-invasive and accurate diagnostic marker for identifying decompensation in patients with cirrhosis, without the need for contrast injections.