title: Feasibility, reproducibility, and reliability for the T*2 iron evaluation at 3 T in comparison with 1.5 T.
abstract: This study aimed to determine the feasibility, reproducibility, and reliability of the multiecho T*(2) Magnetic resonance imaging technique at 3 T for myocardial and liver iron burden quantification and the relationship between T*(2) values at 3 and 1.5 T. Thirty-eight transfusion-dependent patients and 20 healthy subjects were studied. Cardiac segmental and global T*(2) values were calculated after developing a correction map to compensate the artifactual T*(2) variations. The hepatic T*(2) value was determined over a region of interest. The intraoperator and interoperator reproducibility for T*(2) measurements at 3 T was good. A linear relationship was found between patients' R *2 (1000/T*(2) ) values at 3 and 1.5 T. Segmental correction factors were significantly higher at 3 T. A conversion formula returning T*(2) values at 1.5 T from values at 3 T was proposed. A good diagnostic reliability for T*(2) assessment at 3 T was demonstrated. Lower limits of normal for 3 T T*(2) values were 23.3 ms, 21.1 ms, and 11.7 ms, for the global heart, mid-ventricular septum, and liver, respectively. In conclusion, T*(2) quantification of iron burden in the mid-ventricular septum, global heart, and no heavy-moderate livers resulted to be feasible, reproducible, and reliable at 3 T. Segmental heart T*(2) analysis at 3 T may be challenging due to significantly higher susceptibility artifacts.
authors: CMR Unit, Fondazione G Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana and Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy. antonella.meloni@ifc.cnr.it
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Meloni
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Positano
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Keilberg
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: De Marchi
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Pepe
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Zuccarelli
authors: Saveria
authors: S
authors: Campisi
authors: Maria Antonietta
authors: MA
authors: Romeo
authors: Tommaso
authors: T
authors: Casini
authors: Pier Paolo
authors: PP
authors: Bitti
authors: Calogera
authors: C
authors: Gerardi
authors: Maria Eliana
authors: ME
authors: Lai
authors: Basilia
authors: B
authors: Piraino
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Giuffrida
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Secchi
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Midiri
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Lombardi
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Pepe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*