Application of High-Speed T1 Sequences for High-Quality Hepatic Arterial Phase Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

A 15-second breath-hold dual arterial phase acquisition during gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI reliably offers well-timed hepatic arterial phase with less respiratory motion artifact. However, a 13-second breath-hold single arterial phase acquisition was most effective in reducing respiratory motion artifact.

Pitfalls in liver MRI: Technical approach to avoiding misdiagnosis and improving image quality

“…With recent technological advances related to parallel imaging, compressed sensing, and view sharing, multiarterial phase (a.k.a., time‐resolved) imaging has been investigated as an alternative option to traditional timing methods . Two or more arterial phases are acquired within a single breath‐hold, thereby increasing the probability of capturing the optimal late arterial phase.…”

“…Similarly, acquiring multiple arterial phases during a standard breath‐hold using fast T 1 sequences can improve the chances of obtaining at least one adequate arterial phase . Caution, however, is advised when using view‐sharing techniques without compensatory motion sorting, due to the possible propagation of the respiratory motion to all the acquisitions that share the same k ‐space data …”

“…While selection of a specific timing technique is determined by available technology and institutional preference, both the test bolus and bolus tracking techniques yield more consistent late arterial phase timing compared with the fixed timing technique. 10,12,16 With recent technological advances related to parallel imaging, compressed sensing, and view sharing, [19][20][21][22][23][24] multiarterial phase (a.k.a., time-resolved) imaging has been investigated as an alternative option to traditional timing methods. 4,20,[25][26][27][28] Two or more arterial phases are acquired within a single breath-hold, thereby increasing the probability of capturing the optimal late arterial phase.…”

“…4,20,[25][26][27][28] Two or more arterial phases are acquired within a single breath-hold, thereby increasing the probability of capturing the optimal late arterial phase. Multiarterial phase imaging can be used with bolus tracking or fixed delay, and has been shown to improve the likelihood of acquiring a late arterial phase, 19,21,22 improving the detection and characterization of hypervascular lesions such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 23,25,26,28 The different techniques used to acquire an optimal late arterial phase are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…19 Caution, however, is advised when using view-sharing techniques without compensatory motion sorting, due to the possible propagation of the respiratory motion to all the acquisitions that share the same k-space data. 21 The second strategy is the use of non-Cartesian radial or spiral trajectories of k-space sampling. Radial techniques, due to their oversampling of the center of k-space, are inherently less sensitive to motion artifact.…”