title: Noninvasive MRI-Based Liver Iron Quantification: Methodic Approaches, Practical Applicability and Significance.
abstract: Due to the dependence of transverse relaxation times T2and T2* on tissue iron content, MRI offers different options for the determination of iron concentration. These are the time-consuming spin-echo sequence as well as the gradient-echo sequence. For the latter, several data analysis approaches have been proposed, with different requirements for acquisition and post-processing: the mathematically challenging R2* analysis and the signal-intensity ratio method with its high demand on the signal homogeneity of MR images. Furthermore, special procedures currently under evaluation are presented as future prospects: quantitative susceptibility imaging, as a third approach for analyzing gradient echo data, and multi-contrast spin-echo using repeated refocusing pulses. MR theory, as far as needed for understanding the methods, is briefly depicted.Key points:• Description of underlying technology of different MRI-based procedures for liver iron quantification• Applicability of these methods in clinical practice• Validity of the methods, i. e. positive and negative predictive value, if availableCitation Format:• Wunderlich AP, Cario H, Juchems MS et al. Noninvasive MRI-Based Liver Iron Quantification: Methodic Approaches, Practical Applicability and Significance. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2016; 188: 1031 - 1036.
authors.affiliation: Section for Experimental Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Wunderlich
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cario
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Konstanz Hospital, Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Juchems
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007501:Iron