Evaluation of MRI based liver flow.

• Applicant: Dr. Zoran Stankovic
• Subject Area: Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology ; Gastroenterology
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 233924203

The focus of this application is on the development of new diagnostic methods for steatosis hepatis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on a flow-sensitive phase contrast (PC) MRI due to elevated fat metabolism with fat storage in the liver parenchyma as well as in the vessels and consecutive changes of the derived parameters. A central point of the application is the evaluation of the interaction of hepatic vascular hemodynamics and morphology in steatosis hepatis for development of a prognostic therapy assessment. Based on distinct patient oriented pathology and proven liver flow changes within liver parenchyma the aim is to establish a new and simple parameter for risk stratification, extending just flow assessment, characterizing interaction between flow and vessel alterations including the validation of its diagnostic impact. The innovation of the proposed methodical and clinical development represents the derivation of quantitative biomarkers from vessel parameters based on the correlation of physiological measurement values of hemodynamic quantification (e.g. flow velocities, flow volume, WSS and OSI) and clinical-laboratory liver and blood fats specific parameters. An expansion of MR imaging and data analysis for a new biomarker quantitative assessing alterations of liver hemodynamics and morphology could be a strategical diagnostic tool for clinical application and improved therapy evaluation.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Michael Markl