Feasibility, reproducibility, and reliability for the T2* iron evaluation at 3 T in comparison with 1.5 T

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the feasibility, reproducibility, and reliability of the multiecho T2* Magnetic resonance imaging technique at 3 T for myocardial and liver iron burden quantification and the relationship between T2* values at 3 and 1.5 T. Thirty-eight transfusion-dependent patients and 20 healthy subjects were studied. Cardiac segmental and global T2* values were calculated after developing a correction map to compensate the artifactual T2* variations. The hepatic T2* value was determined over a region of interest. The intraoperator and interoperator reproducibility for T2* measurements at 3 T was good. A linear relationship was found between patients' R *2 (1000/T2*) values at 3 and 1.5 T. Segmental correction factors were significantly higher at 3 T. A conversion formula returning T2* values at 1.5 T from values at 3 T was proposed. A good diagnostic reliability for T 2* assessment at 3 T was demonstrated. Lower limits of normal for 3 T T2* values were 23.3 ms, 21.1 ms, and 11.7 ms, for the global heart, mid-ventricular septum, and liver, respectively. In conclusion, T2* quantification of iron burden in the mid-ventricular septum, global heart, and no heavy-moderate livers resulted to be feasible, reproducible, and reliable at 3 T. Segmental heart T2* analysis at 3 T may be challenging due to significantly higher susceptibility artifacts. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.