UnknownNot Applicable

MR Assessment of Hepatic Hydatid Disease

United Kingdom24 participantsStarted 2017-08-14

Plain-language summary

Hydatid disease is a major healthcare problem worldwide caused by infection that commonly affects the liver. Treatments for hydatid disease depend on how advanced the disease is and if the infection is active or not. Currently, doctors decide what stage the disease is at by looking at the appearance of liver on scans and by performing blood tests. It is however still very difficult to be certain if a treatment is working and when is the right moment to start and stop medication. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning is a safe and non-invasive way of imaging the liver that can provide detailed information not just about what the liver looks like but also other information about the chemical composition of normal and diseased liver tissue. MRI is already widely used in the NHS for many liver conditions but it is unknown whether analysing the chemical composition will help decide on the stage and activity of hydatid liver disease. This study will allow comparison between MRI information about liver structure and composition with existing methods of assessing disease stage. If fluid is later obtained from the liver as part of usual clinical care (either using a needle with ultrasound or at the time of surgery), this study will also compare information about the fluid composition obtained from MRI scanning, with the results obtained when analysing the fluid in the lab. This will help to develop a more accurate way of non-invasively assessing hydatid disease in the liver, in the future.

Who can participate

Age range

16 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria for Control group: * All patients must have cystic lesions which must exceed 30 mm in diameter. * All patients must be fasted and avoid caffeinated fluids for at least 4 hours prior to the scan. * All patients must be aged 16 or over and able to provide informed consent. Inclusion Criteria for the CE group: * All patients must have hepatic CE, as confirmed by positive serology, with lesions identified on teh standard of care MRI/CT scan, one or more of which must exceed 20 mm in diameter. * All patients must be fasted and avoid caffeinated fluids for at least 4 hours prior to the scan. * All patients must be aged 16 or over and able to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Any contraindication to MRI (pacemakers, metallic implants, claustrophobia ect.) * Inability to give consent

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

The primary outcome measure is MR spectroscopy metabolite

Timeframe: 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03289884

SponsorUniversity College, London

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2020-03-01

Contact for this trial

Manil Chouhan, MBBS BSc

07779783511 m.chouhan@ucl.ac.uk

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