To explore the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) for assessment of non-alcoholic fat liver disease (NAFLD) as compared with liver histological and metabolomics findings.


 To provide reliable data from MRI and MRS, novel procedures were designed to limit sampling variability and other sources of error using a 1.5T Signa HDx scanner and protocols acquired from the 3D or 2D Fat SAT FIESTA prescription manager.  MRI data showed excellent correlation with the concentration of liver triglycerides, other hepatic lipid components and the histological assessment, which excluded the presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).  MRI was sufficient to follow up NAFLD in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and data suggest usefulness in other clinical situations.  The information provided by MRS replicated that obtained by MRI using the -CH3 peak (0.9 ppm), the -CH2- peak (1.3 ppm, mostly triglyceride) and the -CH=CH- peak (2.2 ppm).  MRI is sufficient to stage NAFLD in obese patients and to assess the improvement after bariatric surgery. 
MRI
To explore the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) for assessment of non-alcoholic fat liver disease (NAFLD) as compared with liver histological and metabolomics findings.


 To provide reliable data from MRI and MRS, novel procedures were designed to limit sampling variability and other sources of error using a 1.5T Signa HDx scanner and protocols acquired from the 3D or 2D Fat SAT FIESTA prescription manager.  Values from (1)H NMR spectra obtained after surgery were omitted due to technical limitations.


 The information provided by MRS replicated that obtained by MRI using the -CH3 peak (0.9 ppm), the -CH2- peak (1.3 ppm, mostly triglyceride) and the -CH=CH- peak (2.2 ppm). 
MRS
To provide reliable data from MRI and MRS, novel procedures were designed to limit sampling variability and other sources of error using a 1.5T Signa HDx scanner and protocols acquired from the 3D or 2D Fat SAT FIESTA prescription manager. 
Signa HDx scanner
To provide reliable data from MRI and MRS, novel procedures were designed to limit sampling variability and other sources of error using a 1.5T Signa HDx scanner and protocols acquired from the 3D or 2D Fat SAT FIESTA prescription manager. 
3D or 2D Fat SAT FIESTA prescription manager