【Abstract】ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to histology in the patients of chronic viral hepatitis. MethodsThirty-five patients of chronic viral hepatitis who received liver biopsy and 10 healthy volunteers were included in this study. All of them underwent DWI on a 3.0T MRI device. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the liver were measured respectively when b value were set as 100, 400, 600 and 800 s/mm2. Biopsy specimens were scored for fibrosis and necroinflammation according to the Knodell histology activity index (HAI). ResultsWhen b value was set as 800 s/mm2, statistical difference was showed between the fibrosis group and the nonfibrosis group, statistical difference was also shown among the different degrees of necroinflammation and fibrosis. ConclusionDWI is a valuable method for grading and staging of chronic viral hepatitis.