Noninvasive evaluation of liver fibrosis: comparison of the stretched exponential diffusion-weighted model to other diffusion-weighted MRI models and transient elastography.

• The distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) from the stretched exponential model is the most accurate DWI parameter for staging liver fibrosis. • DDC and transient elastography have similar good diagnostic performance for evaluating liver fibrosis. • The stretched exponential DWI model has no confounding effect by steatosis, unlike other DWI models.