In patients with iron overload, liver iron concentration can be measured by R2- or R2*-MRI. While gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) based R2*-MRI holds practical advantages over spin-echo based R2-MRI, the R2* technique is more challenging in patients with severe iron overload with rapid signal decay. We introduce a technique known as spin density projection (SDP), which uses liver-to-subcutaneous fat spin density ratios as an internal reference to improve robustness of R2* fitting. We performed a computer simulation and retrospective analysis of GRE imaging data in 45 patients with suspected iron overload and compared R2* fitting without and with SPD. We found that SPD increased robustness by reducing standard deviation of R2* estimation.
How to access this content:
For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.
After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.
After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.
Keywords