IFIR sequence on 3.0T MR portal venography and influence of technological elements on imaging quality

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of inflow inversion recovery(IFIR) sequence in non-enhanced 3.0T MR portal venography,and to investigate the influence of technological elements on imaging quality.Methods Totally 240 patients received upper abdominal examination on GE Signa HDx 3.0T MR with coronal IFIR sequence.MIP reconstruction was done on AW 4.4 workstation to evaluate the branches and trunk of portal vein.Image quality was also assessed and compared with those technological elements of breathing,inversion time(TI) and so on.Results Among 240 patients,the score of imaging quality of the portal vein was grade 5 in 32 patients,grade 4 in 62,grade 3 in 64,grade 2 in 20 and grade 1 in 27 patients,while was grade 0 in 35 patients.There were 158 patients(158/240,65.83%) in high grade group(3—5 grade) and 82 patients(82/240,34.17%) in low grade group(0—2 grade).The imaging quality was affected by several technological elements,including magnetic ability(unstable factors of IFIR sequence and the type of pre-saturated band) and personal elements(breathing and TI).Conclusion IFIR sequence is a feasible non-enhanced MR imaging method for portal vein at 3.0T MR system.