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Aim To determine the relationship between caudate–right lobe ratio (C/R) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Methods The study included 50 patients with cirrhosis and a control group of 20 patients. C/R was measured as described by Harbin et al. The size of the spleen was measured on coronal images. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Web site was used for MELD score calculation. Aspartate to alanine aminotranferase (AST/ALT) ratio was calculated. Results There was statistically significant difference between the two groups. C/R, the size of the spleen, and AST/ALT values were significantly correlated with MELD score. Conclusions There is a significant relationship between the C/R and MELD score.

Purpose To investigate the imaging features of portal biliopathy with emphasis on MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). The ancillary vascular findings of portal biliopathy were also evaluated by accompanying MR portography, dynamic contrast-enhanced (CE) CT, and dynamic CE MRI studies. Materials and methods Sixteen patients with portal cavernoma were included in the study. Patients had undergone MRCP (n = 16) studies accompanied by MR portography (n = 13), dynamic CE CT (n = 3) or dynamic CE MRI (n = 2) of the liver. Two patients had undergone both dynamic CE CT and dynamic CE MRI. Two radiologists evaluated all the examinations together, retrospectively. MRCP images were analyzed for the presence of biliary stenosis, upstream (prestenotic) dilatation, wavy appearance of the bile ducts, angulation of the common bile duct (CBD), and choledocholithiasis. MR portography, dynamic CE CT and dynamic CE MRI studies were evaluated for the existence of portal cavernomas, and the presence of gall bladder/choledochal varices. Results All patients had signs of portal biliopathy on MRCP. Frequencies of the biliary findings on MRCP were as follows: biliary stenosis, 93.7%; upstream dilatation, 68.7%; wavy appearance of the biliary tree, 87.5%; angulation of the CBD, 75%. None of the patients had choledocholithiasis. Frequencies of the ancillary vascular findings detected on CE studies were as follows: gall bladder varices, 100%, choledochal varices, 93.7%. Conclusion MRCP features of portal biliopathy in order to their frequencies were as follows: biliary stenosis, wavy appearance of the bile ducts, angulation of the CBD, and upstream dilatation of the bile ducts.

Purpose To evaluate the possible pancreatic changes and their frequencies in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) on MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and conventional abdominal MRI. Materials and Methods Patient group consisted of 29 PSC (13 male, 16 female) cases, whereas cohort 1 consisted of 12 female patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, and cohort 2 consisted of 17 patients (6 male, 11 female) with non-immune chronic liver disease. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated the MR examinations paying special attention to the pancreatic size (atrophy or enlargement), T1- and T2-signal intensity of the pancreas, focal pancreatic lesion, capsule-like rim, peripancreatic edema or fluid, fascial thickening, and pancreatic ducts (dilatation or narrowing). The results are expressed as percentages. Three groups were compared using Pearson chi-square test for each feature. However, only p -value for “dilatation of the pancreatic duct” was determined, whereas p -value could not be calculated because of the insufficient number of subjects/sequences for the other features. Results Twelve PSC patients (41.3%) had pancreatic abnormalities. The most common pancreatic changes in PSC patients were decreased T1-signal intensity (44%) and dilatation of the pancreatic duct (13.8%), respectively. Increased T2-signal intensity was also shown in 2 PSC patients (6.9%). Conclusion Even PSC patients without any sign of pancreatitis, can show MR changes in the pancreatic parenchyma or the pancreatic duct. The etiologies of these changes, and whether they are unique to PSC, are still controversial. Histopathological studies bringing light to these pancreatic changes are needed.

Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD), also known as dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum, is a rare cerebellar disorder of uncertain etiology. LDD presents with highly typical findings on MRI. Furthermore, 1 H-MR spectroscopy can provide additional information supporting the diagnosis. Herein, we present the MRI and 1 H-MR spectroscopy findings of a 46-year-old LDD patient with a brief review of the relevant literature. The patient had a unilateral, cerebellar hemispheric mass with a layered appearance, resembling “tiger stripes”. On single-voxel 1 H-MR spectroscopy, N -acetyl aspartate (NAA), cholin (Cho), creatinine (Cr) levels and NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr ratios were found to be within reference values, however, lactate level was elevated. In conclusion, although conventional MRI characteristics of LDD are typical, 1 H-MR spectroscopy can provide additional and supportive information, revealing the benign nature of this rare lesion. Hence, preoperative diagnosis of LDD can be made with high accuracy using MRI and 1 H-MR spectroscopy.