Influence of a Connected & Inactive Coil on a MR Exam: Liver Iron Load Measurement

Anou Sewonu^1,2, Marine Beaumont^3,4, Fanny Carbillet¹, Malne Lohezic², Ren Anxionnat⁴, Jacques Felblinger^2,4, Gabriel Hossu^3,4

Quality assurance of liver iron assessment requires knowledge of a connected but inactive coil effects on the exam. Four volunteers were investigated on a 1.5T MR unit in body coil with an inactive torso coil plugged and then in body coil only. A signal-based method and a R2* method for liver iron measurement were used. Image quality was also assessed. Liver to muscle signal ratio and contrast were significantly decreased for body coil only measurement. R2* did not show any significant difference. Further investigation involving more subjects is required for confirming these promising outcomes.