Free-breathing Simultaneous T1, T2, and T2* Mapping of the Whole-Liver with Multi-Inversion Spin and Gradient Echo in Under a Minute

Quantitative parametric mapping is an increasingly important tool for non-invasive assessment of liver disease. Conventional parametric mapping techniques require multiple breath-held acquisitions providing limited coverage. A free-breathing multi-inversion spin and gradient echo (MI-SAGE) technique is demonstrated to simultaneously estimate T1, T2, and T2* over the whole-liver in a single scan of less than 1 minute. In 11 research participants, hepatic T1, T2, and T2* estimates obtained using the free-breathing MI-SAGE technique were comparable to those obtained using modified Lock Locker, multiple gradient and spin echo, and multiple gradient echo sequences respectively and exhibited good to excellent (ICC>0.77) repeatability and reproducibility.