Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma phantom and its use for assessing R2* mapping sequences for detecting iron sparing

Survival rates for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are poor, and improved methods for early detection are required. One such method may be the detection of iron sparing in HCC compared to the liver tissue using R2* mapping. We optimised sequences for the assessment of whole liver 3D R2* mapping, and developed a HCC phantom comprising small spheres with a range of R2* values to assess them. Agreement of the phantom R2* with reference values and between vendors, as well as the ability to detect small differences in R2* indicated the sequences have strong potential to detect iron sparing.