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R2 relaxometry based MR imaging for estimation of liver iron content: A comparison between two methods

  • Hepatobiliary
  • Published:
Abdominal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the reproducibility and accuracy of R2-relaxometry MRI for estimation of liver iron concentration (LIC) between in-house analysis and FDA-approved commercially available third party results.

Methods

All MR studies were performed on a 1.5T scanner. Multi-echo spin-echo scans with a fixed TR and increasing TE values of 6 ms, 9 ms, 12 ms, 15 ms, and 18 ms (spaced at 3 ms intervals) were used. Post-processing of the images to calculate mean relaxivity, R2, included drawing of regions of interest to include the whole liver on mid-slice. The relationship between liver R2 values and estimated LIC calculated with in-house analysis and values reported by an external company (FerriScan®, Resonance Health, Australia) were assessed with correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman difference plots. Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Significance was set at p value < 0.05.

Results

474 studies from 175 patients were included in the study (mean age 10.4 ± 4.2 years (range 1–18 years); 254 studies from girls, 220 studies from boys). LIC ranged from 0.6 to 43 mg/g dry tissue, covering a broad range from normal levels to extremely high iron levels. Linearity between proprietary and in-house methods was excellent across the observed range for R2 (31.5 to 334.8 s−1); showing a correlation coefficient of r = 0.87, p < 0.001. Bland–Altman R2 difference plot between the two methods shows a mean bias of + 21.5 s−1 (range − 47.0 to + 90.0 s−1 between two standard deviations). LIC reported by FerriScan® compared with LIC estimated in-house with R2 as reported by FerriScan® agreed strongly, (r = 1.0, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

R2 relaxometry MR imaging for liver iron concentration estimation is reproducible between proprietary FDA-approved commercial software and in-house analysis methods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Body Imaging, Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Juan S. Calle-Toro, Christian A. Barrera, Dmitry Khrichenko, Hansel J. Otero & Suraj D. Serai

  2. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Hansel J. Otero & Suraj D. Serai

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  1. Juan S. Calle-Toro
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  2. Christian A. Barrera
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Correspondence to Suraj D. Serai.

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Calle-Toro, J.S., Barrera, C.A., Khrichenko, D. et al. R2 relaxometry based MR imaging for estimation of liver iron content: A comparison between two methods. Abdom Radiol 44, 3058–3068 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-019-02074-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-019-02074-4

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