Feasibility of fast MR imaging of the liver at 1.5 T

Fast MR imaging was performed using a phantom containing tissue-equivalent T1 and T2 values by changing the flip angle, repetition time, number of excitations and echo time while keeping the section acquisition time under 14 seconds. From all possible combinations, ten sequences were further evaluated against spin-echo sequences in normal volunteers and patients with liver lesions. Objectively, fast MR studies with small flip angles have poorer signal-to-noise ratio but contrast-to-noise ratio similar to that of spin-echo sequences. Subjectively, fast MR studies have no motion artifact, display high signal from blood vessels, and are quicker to perform. Fast MR using small flip angles deserves further study in detection of liver lesions