Abstract #1392

Nonenhanced Spin-Labeling MR Angiography of Hepatic Arteries: Comparison of 3.0-T and 1.5-T Imaging

Masaaki Akahane¹, Jiro Sato¹, Izuru Matsuda¹, Shuhei Komatsu¹, Yasushi Watanabe², Yoshiro Satake², Naoyuki Takei³, Kuni Ohtomo¹

¹Radiology, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; ²Clinical Radiology, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; ³Japan Applied Science Laboratory, GE Healthcare Japan, Hino-shi, Tokyo, Japan

Nonenhanced spin-labeling MRA at 3.0 T is promising because of improved signal-to-noise ratio, but the influence of changes in relaxation times and field inhomogeneity on the image quality should be assessed. Eighteen volunteers underwent nonenhanced spin-labeling MRA using respiratory-gated balanced steady state free precession sequence with both Signa HDx 1.5-T and Signa HDx 3.0-T scanners (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI). Contrast between PHA and the liver parenchyma was significantly higher at 3.0 T than 1.5 T. Fat suppression was more homogeneous at 1.5 T. Major anatomical variations were able to be evaluated sufficiently on both 3.0-T and 1.5-T images.