Identification of early and advanced hepatic fibrosis stages in patients with chronic hepatitis B using IVIM parameters and Forns index

Motivation: Early intervention in liver fibrosis may reverse and rescue liver parenchyma and function. Goal(s): To explore the feasibility of combining with intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and Forns index in distinguishing the liver early fibrosis group from advanced liver fibrosis group. Approach: We recruited 95 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B including 46 early and 49 advanced patients. IVIM-DWI scan was performed. The serological indicators were collected. Results: The IVIM and Forns index models presented fair diagnostic efficiency [IVIM: AUC: 0.698; Forns index: AUC: 0.656]. The fusion model of IVIM and Forns index [AUC: 0.755] showed better diagnostic efficiency than the single models. Impact: Indeed, Early diagnosis of liver fiber by non-invasive method can bring benefits to the clinical treatment of patients with chronic liver disease. IVIM combined with Forn index is a relatively excellent indicator, which can reflect the grade of liver fibrosis.