Hydrogen 1 (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of 3.0T in assessment of steatosis to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C

This study investigates the utility of Hydrogen 1 (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a noninvasive test for steatosis of response to interferon and ribavirin treatment in patients developing different severity of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Ninety chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral therapy with interferon and ribavirin underwent 1H MR spectroscopy at 3.0T before treatment, 6 month after the start of treatment and one year after the start of treatment. Peak value of lipid, area under the peak of lipid, peak ratio of lipid, water and area ratio under the peak of lipid, water statistical difference between baseline of control group and antiviral group, and also between baseline and after the start of therapy 6 month of antiviral therapy group. 1H MRS is a noninvasive technique that can be used to provide liver steatosis information on hepatic metabolic processes. This study indicates that the 1H MRS can be used as an indicator of steatosis response to antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients.