MRI Based Biomarkers in Pediatric Autoimmune Liver Disease
This study looks at how MRI scans can help doctors better understand and diagnose autoimmune liver diseases in children and teens, such as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis. These conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver, causing inflammation and damage. The research aims to find new imaging markers that could improve diagnosis and monitoring of these serious liver conditions.
Key Objective: This trial could identify MRI-based biomarkers that help doctors diagnose and monitor autoimmune liver disease more effectively in young patients.
Who to Consider: Children and adolescents with diagnosed or suspected autoimmune liver disease, particularly those with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis or Autoimmune Hepatitis, should consider enrolling.
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), which include Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) are a common etiological factors for chronic liver disease among adolescents. In all these conditions, autoimmune lymphocyte responses are thought to orchestrate inflammatory injury against hepatocytes (primarily in AIH) or cholangiocytes (in PSC). In this proposal we aim to evaluate the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) modalities; MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and MR elastography (MREL), as non-invasive biomarkers to assess two primary pathophysiological processes of AILD: bile duct damage and liver fibrosis. In this cross-sectional study MRI based findings of bile duct injury and liver fibrosis will be correlated with both liver histology and circulating biomarkers of these disease processes.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 6-23 years old. 2. Established or suspected clinical diagnosis of AIH or PSC. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of liver transplantation. 2. Chronic Hepatitis B or untreated hepatitis C virus infection. 3. Pregnancy. 4. Absolute contraindication for MRI (e.g. pacemaker, metallic implants, claustrophobia). 5. Diagnosis of cystic fibrosis or biliary atresia 6. Diagnosis of cardiac hepatopathy. 7. Diagnosis of Wilson's disease, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency, or Glycogen storage disease. 8. Skin conditions which could be aggravated by MREL (i.e. Epidermolysis bullosa).