3D Liver T1 Quantification using Interleaved Look-Locker Acquisition with T2 Preparation Pulse Sequence (3D-QALAS): Comparison with 2D-MOLLI

Hepatic T1 relaxation values have been shown to correlate with hepatic fibrosis. The established 2D T1 mapping techniques require multiple breath-holds to quantify whole liver T1. 3D whole liver T1 quantification in a single breath-hold using an interleaved Look-Locker acquisition sequence with T2 preparation pulse (3D-QALAS) correlates very strongly (r=0.95) with T1 values obtained with a 2D Modified Look-Locker Acquisition (2D-MOLLI). However, 3D-QALAS underestimated T1 significantly (p<0.0001) compared to 2D-MOLLI with a mean bias of 92.5 ms (14.2%). 3D-QALAS has potential to measure T1 of the whole liver in a single breath hold, while simultaneously providing T2 relaxation values.