title: Contrast-enhanced ultra-high-field liver MRI: a feasibility trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced 7 T MRI of the liver using an eight-channel radiofrequency (RF) transmit/receive body-coil. 16 healthy subjects were examined on a 7 T MR system utilizing a custom-built eight-channel RF body-coil suitable for RF-shimming. The following data were acquired: (1) steady state free precession imaging, (2) T2w turbo spin echo imaging, (3) T1w in and opposed-phase imaging, (4) T1w 3D FLASH images pre-contrast and in arterial, portal-venous and venous phase and (5) a fat-saturated pre- and post-contrast 2D FLASH sequence. Visual evaluation of (1) the delineation of liver vasculature, (2) the overall image quality, and (3) artifact presence and consequent image impairment was performed. SNR of the liver parenchyma was measured for the contrast-enhanced 2D and 3D FLASH sequences. For statistical analysis, a Wilcoxon-Rank Test was used. Best delineation of non-enhanced liver vasculature and overall image quality was found for 2D FLASH MRI, with only slight improvement in vessel conspicuity after the application of contrast media. T2-weighted TSE imaging remained strongly impaired, falling short of diagnostic relevance and precluding a clinical application. Our results demonstrate the feasibility and diagnostic potential of dedicated contrast-enhanced 7 T liver MRI as well as the potential for non-contrast-enhanced angiographic application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Germany. Lale.Umutlu@uk-essen.de
authors.forename: Lale
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Umutlu
authors.forename: Andreas K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bitz
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maderwald
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orzada
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kinner
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kraff
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brote
authors.forename: Susanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ladd
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forsting
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antoch
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ladd
authors.forename: Harald H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Quick
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lauenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media