Non-contrast-enhanced MR portography with time-spatial labeling inversion pulses: comparison of imaging with three-dimensional half-fourier fast spin-echo and true steady-state free-precession sequences.
OBJECTIVE
To compare and evaluate images acquired with two different MR angiography (MRA) sequences, three-dimensional (3D) half-Fourier fast spin-echo (FSE) and 3D true steady-state free-precession (SSFP) combined with two time-spatial labeling inversion pulses (T-SLIPs), for selective and non-contrast-enhanced (non-CE) visualization of the portal vein.


METHODS
Twenty healthy volunteers were examined using half-Fourier FSE and true SSFP sequences on a 1.5T MRI system with two T-SLIPs, one placed on the liver and thorax, and the other on the lower abdomen. For quantitative analysis, vessel-to-liver contrast (Cv-l) ratios of the main portal vein (MPV), right portal vein (RPV), and left portal vein (LPV) were measured. The quality of visualization was also evaluated.


RESULTS
In both pulse sequences, selective visualization of the portal vein was successfully conducted in all 20 volunteers. Quantitative evaluation showed significantly better Cv-l at the RPVs and LPVs in half-Fourier FSE (P < 0.0001). At the MPV, Cv-l was better in true SSFP, but was not statistically different. Visualization scores were significantly better only at branches of segments four and eight for half-Fourier FSE (P = 0.001 and 0.03, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Both 3D half-Fourier FSE and true SSFP scans with T-SLIPs enabled selective non-CE visualization of the portal vein. Half-Fourier FSE was considered appropriate for intrahepatic portal vein visualization, and true SSFP may be preferable when visualization of the MPV is required.
Shimada
Kotaro
K
Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. kotaro@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Isoda
Hiroyoshi
H
Okada
Tomohisa
T
Kamae
Toshikazu
T
Arizono
Shigeki
S
Hirokawa
Yuusuke
Y
Shibata
Toshiya
T
Togashi
Kaori
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013113:Spin Labels; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; D013113:Spin Labels