Diffusion‐weighted imaging of the abdomen at 3.0 Tesla: Image quality and apparent diffusion coefficient reproducibility compared with 1.5 Tesla

Abstract

Purpose: To compare single-shot echo-planar imaging (SS EPI) diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) of abdominal organs between 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0T in healthy volunteers in terms of image quality, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and ADC reproducibility. Materials and Methods:Eight healthy volunteers were prospectively imaged in this HIPAA-compliant IRBapproved study. Each subject underwent two consecutive scans at both 1.5 and 3.0T, which included breathhold and free-breathing DWI using a wide range of b-values (0 to 800 s/mm 2 ). A blinded observer rated subjective image quality (maximum score¼ 8), and a separate observer placed regions of interest within the liver, renal cortices, pancreas, and spleen to measure ADC at each field strength. Paired Wilcoxon tests were used to compare abdominal DWI between 1.5T and 3.0T for specific combinations of organs, b-values, and acquisition techniques.Results: Subjective image quality was significantly lower at 3.0T for all comparisons (P ¼ 0.0078-0.0156). ADC values were similar at 1.5T and 3.0T for all assessed organs, except for lower liver ADC at 3.0T using b0-500-600 and breathhold technique. ADC reproducibility was moderate at both 1.5T and 3.0T, with no significant difference in coefficient of variation of ADC between field strengths. Conclusion:Compared with 1.5T, SS EPI at 3.0T provided generally similar ADC values, however, with worse image quality. Further optimization of abdominal DWI at 3.0T is needed.

Diffusion tensor imaging in the differentiation of adrenal adenoma and metastases

“…This difficulty can be overcome using parallel imaging technology, as described in this study. Parallel imaging techniques help to reduce the echo train length and the echo spacing (6,12,13).…”

Utility of Apparent Diffusion Coefficients in the Evaluation of Solid Renal Tumors at 3T

“…29,30 However, other studies have reported no significant differences in ADCs of abdominal organs obtained using MRI at 3T vs. 1.5T. 31 Further studies will be necessary to fully evaluate the differences in ADC between 3T and 1.5T MRI.…”

Clinical Functional MRI of the kidneys

“…So far, 1.5 T MR systems have mainly been applied for renal imaging. However, further investigations at higher field strength are necessary to improve SNR and contrast-to-noise ratio of these advanced MRI techniques by maintaining the specific absorption rate within uncritical values and high image quality [54].…”

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