MRI-based liver iron quantification using refocused gradient-echo (bSSFP): initial results

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of using a balanced steady-state free precession sequence (bSSFP) to determine liver iron content (LIC). Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients with liver iron overload were examined with bSSFP. Signal intensity ratios between liver parenchyma and paraspinal muscles were correlated with LIC reference values obtained using Ferriscan. Results: LIC values ranged from 24 to 756 µmol/g. The best SIR-to-LIC correlation was obtained with 3.5 ms repetition time and 17° excitation flip angle. Conclusion: bSSFP is suitable to determine LIC. Its advantages are high SNR efficiency and the ability to acquire the entire liver in a breath hold.