Motivation: Transient-state relaxometry (TSR) provides fast estimation of T1 and T2 but the variability of implementations across different vendors may compromise multi-center studies. Goal(s): To assess accuracy, repeatability and inter-vendor reproducibility of TSR T1 and T2 maps. Approach: A phantom and five volunteers were scanned at four 3T MR systems from three manufacturers. We computed coefficients-of-variation to estimate voxelwise variability and general linear model analysis to measure biases associated with sites. Results: We obtained excellent accuracy and repeatability and generally good inter-site reproducibility among the different implementations. T1 and T2 differences may be attributable to MT and B1 effects, respectively. Impact: Transient-state relaxometry represents a broadly applicable method for quantitative imaging. The assessment of inter-site reproducibility provides a preliminary indication of its sensitivity in detecting pathologies in a multi-center study.
Lancione et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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