Motivation: Liver iron overload can cause serious complications; accurate assessment is essential. Current R2 mapping techniques are limited by long scan times and fat-induced bias. Goal(s): To validate a rapid phase-based (PB) R2 mapping method for whole-liver iron quantification by comparing it with conventional methods, and to understand fat bias through simulations. Approach: PB-R2 mapping using RF phase-modulated 3D GRE imaging was tested in patients with iron overload at 1.5T and 3.0T MRI. Results: PB-R2 mapping showed good agreement with reference methods over a wide range of iron concentrations and excellent repeatability. Impact: PB-R2 mapping enables rapid, accurate whole-liver iron quantification within a single breath-hold, enhancing clinical efficiency and patient comfort. It may improve iron overload assessment and inspire further research to address fat bias in R2 mapping.
Tamada et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: