Ute L. Fahlenkamp MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Moritz Wagner MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Matthias Taupitz MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bernd K. Hamm MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Bayer AG Research Consultant, Toshiba Corporation Stockholder, Siemens AG Stockholder, General Electric Company Research Grant, Toshiba Corporation Research Grant, Koninklijke Philips NV Research Grant, Siemens AG Research Grant, General Electric Company Research Grant, Elbit Medical Imaging Ltd Research Grant, Bayer AG Research Grant, Guerbet AG Research Grant, Bracco Group Research Grant, B. Braun Melsungen AG Research Grant, KRAUTH medical KG Research Grant, Boston Scientific Corporation Equipment support, Elbit Medical Imaging Ltd Investigator, CMC Contrast AB

Alexander Huppertz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Siemens AG

To evaluate image quality of gadoxetate disodium-enhanced dynamic hepatic MR imaging strategy based on advanced parallel acquisition combined with rhythmic breathholding.

With institutional-review-board approval and consent, twenty-seven patients (21 males, mean age 57.3 years) underwent 3D gradient-echo imaging at 3 Tesla using controlled-aliasing-for-image-reconstruction (CAIPIRINHA, spatial resolution 1.2×1.2×3.0mm, acquisition time 10.4 seconds) for preoperative imaging. Sequence was repeated over three minutes at eight fixed timepoints after contrast injection. Image quality was evaluated on a five-point scale (1=excellent; 5=non-diagnostic). Dynamic sequences were classified according to perfusion phases. Contrast characteristics and artifacts were analyzed. The liver position in z-axis was evaluated to monitor breathhold robustness.

Overall image quality was scored 1.44 (95%CI: 1.18–1.71). Contrast in central and peripheral vessels was excellent in 25/27 and 22/27 patients, respectively. Adequate arterial phase was acquired in 21/27 patients, classification was “early arterial” in 3/21 and “late arterial” in 18/21 patients. In two patients, 1st dynamic acquisition was classified “too early” and 2nd acquisition “portal”, and in four patients timing was too late (1st dynamic classified “portal”). Artifacts were observed in 21/27 patients, rated as mild in 19/21. Compromised quality was due to receiver-coil-related artifacts (17/29), parallel-imaging-related artifacts (6/29), breathing artifacts (3/29), and other (3/29). The position of the liver throughout the dynamic phases was highly constant with maximal mean shifting of +2.2mm and -2.1mm during 1st and 2nd dynamic acqusitions.

Advanced parallel acquisition with rhythmic breathholding leads to very high and robust image quality without individual timing in preoperative gadoxetate disodium-enhanced liver MR imaging.

Acquisition time of about 10 seconds combined with a rhythmic breatholding strategy guarantees for high quality of gadoxetate disodium-enhanced hepatic MR imaging and avoids non-diagnostic dynamic phases caused by breathing artifacts.

Fahlenkamp, U, Wagner, M, Taupitz, M, Hamm, B, Huppertz, A, Novel Dynamic Hepatic MR Imaging Strategy Using Advanced Parallel Acquisition, Rhythmic Breathhold Technique, and Gadoxetate Disodium Enhancement.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14006831.html