The role of quantitative T1 and T2 mapping for detecting minimal hepatic encephalopathy in chronic hepatic schistosomiasis patients

Q: What was the primary goal of this study?

To evaluate the diagnostic value of quantitative T1 and T2 mapping for detecting MHE in CHS patients.

Q: How were MHE and non-MHE groups assessed?

MHE was assessed using NCT-A and digit symbol test (DST), and all participants underwent 3.0T MRI with T1 and T2 mapping.

Q: Which MRI marker performed better for diagnosing MHE?

Quantitative T1 mapping outperformed T2 mapping; lower T1 values, especially in the globus pallidus, were independently associated with MHE.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by nayy☆

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is a common neurocognitive complication among chronic hepatic schistosomiasis (CHS) patients, and conventional diagnosis is limited by time demands and education-related influences. This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated whether quantitative MRI T1 and T2 mapping can identify MHE. Compared with non-MHE patients, MHE showed significantly lower T1 values, while T2 values did not differ. Globus pallidus T1 provided excellent ROC performance and correlated with neuropsychological tests, supporting T1 mapping as an objective non-invasive biomarker for earlier detection and monitoring.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Burden and diagnosis of MHE

Limitations of psychometric testing

Role of paraclinical examinations

OPEN ACCESS Citation: Liu X-F, Wang K-Y, Shi H-F, Li Y, Li X (2026) The role of quantitative T1 and T2 mapping for detecting minimal hepatic encephalopathy in chronic hepatic schistosomiasis patients. PLoS One 21(1): e0339588. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal). pone.0339588 Editor: Ghada Abdrabo Abdellatif Elshaarawy, National Research Centre, EGYPT Received: August 24, 2025 Accepted: December 9, 2025 Published: January 6, 2026 Peer Review History: PLOS recognizes the benefits of transparency in the peer review process; therefore, we enable the publication of all of the content of peer review and author responses alongside final, published articles. The editorial history of this article is available here: [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal). pone.0339588 Copyright: © 2026 Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, RESEARCH ARTICLE The role of quantitative T1 and T2 mapping for detecting minimal hepatic encephalopathy in chronic hepatic schistosomiasis patients Xue-Fei Liu☯, Ke-Ying Wang☯, Hai-Feng Shi☯, Ying Li*, Xin Li* Department of Radiology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work * [dr.yingli@foxmail.com](dr.yingli@foxmail.com) (YL); [362990170@qq.com](362990170@qq.com) (XL) Abstract Background Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is a frequent neurocognitive complication in chronic hepatic schistosomiasis (CHS) patients. Conventional diagnostic tools are time-consuming and influenced by education level. Quantitative MRI mapping offers a potential non-invasive biomarker for MHE, but its role in CHS remains unclear. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of quantitative T1 and T2 mapping for detecting MHE in CHS patients. Methods This prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August 2023 to July 2024. A total of 88 CHS patients were enrolled and divided into MHE (n = 50) and non-MHE group (n = 38) . MHE was assessed using the number connection test-A (NCT-A) and digit symbol test (DST) . All participants underwent 3.0T MRI with T1 and T2 mapping. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. Results MHE patients exhibited significantly lower T1 values across multiple brain regions, particularly the globus pallidus (all p < 0.001) . T2 values showed no significant differences between groups. Multivariable regression confirmed that lower T1 values were independently associated with MHE (p = 0.009) . ROC analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance of globus pallidus T1 values (AUC = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.99), with sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.90. T1 values were also correlated with neuropsychological tests (NCT-A: r = −0 .345, p < 0.001; DST: r = 0.232, PLOS One | [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0339588](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0339588) January 6, 2026 1 / 12 which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data availability statement: The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article can be found at [https://github.com/jsyyky/MHE](https://github.com/jsyyky/MHE). Funding: This work was supported by Shanghai Jinshan District Science and Technology Committee (2023-WS-07) to Xin Li and by Jinshan Hospital (KYQDJJ202501) and Jinshan District Health Commission (JSZK2023A02) to Hai-Feng Shi. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. p = 0.029) . However, T2 values showed no significant group differences or diagnostic value. Conclusion Quantitative T1 mapping, rather than T2 mapping, could be used as a potential non-invasive biomarker for detecting MHE in CHS patients. This appro

FAQs

What was the primary goal of this study?

To evaluate the diagnostic value of quantitative T1 and T2 mapping for detecting MHE in CHS patients.

How were MHE and non-MHE groups assessed?

MHE was assessed using NCT-A and digit symbol test (DST), and all participants underwent 3.0T MRI with T1 and T2 mapping.

Which MRI marker performed better for diagnosing MHE?

Quantitative T1 mapping outperformed T2 mapping; lower T1 values, especially in the globus pallidus, were independently associated with MHE.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by nayy☆