Fast gradient echo MR imaging of the liver enhanced with superparamagnetic iron oxide

The purpose of this study was to develop a breath-hold technique for hepatic imaging using SPIO-enhanced gradient echo. Pre- and post-SPIO driven equilibrium fast gradient echo scans were performed on five healthy subjects. Scan parameters were established to emphasize large pre-/post-signal differences while maintaining a scan time conducive to breath-hold. Hepatic post-SPIO signal reduction was at least fifty percent with diagnostic image quality in all subjects. SPIO-enhanced gradient echo provides slightly less hepatic signal reduction to spin echo techniques but can be performed within a single breath-hold. This technique may be advantageous over SE in assessing hepatic pathology in subjects unable to lay motionless for prolonged intervals, such as children.