Motion artifact in T2-weighted fast spin-echo images of the liver: effect on image contrast and reduction of artifact using respiratory triggering in normal volunteers

J Magn Reson Imaging. 1997 Mar-Apr;7(2):298-302. doi: 10.1002/jmri.1880070207.

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of respiratory motion on the image contrast of T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) images of the liver as well as the reduction of motion artifact using respiratory triggering of the data acquisition. We imaged the livers of 10 healthy volunteers using a fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequence. Images were obtained both without and with patient triggering. Triggered images were acquired in a segmented fashion during multiple sequential breath-holds using an echo train of 8 or 16, both with and without flow compensation (gradient moment nulling). Ratios of signal difference to noise (SD/N) of the liver and gallbladder as well as the liver and spleen were compared for all sequences. All of the triggered images showed statistically significant improvement of SD/N for the liver and gallbladder as well as for the liver and spleen when compared with the nontriggered images. Triggered images obtained with an echo train length of 8 and, with flow compensation, showed the highest SD/N ratios. In one volunteer whose liver contained multiple small cysts, the triggered images showed improved visualization of individual cysts and identified a larger number of cysts. Respiratory motion causes a significant loss of contrast on T2-weighted fast spin-echo images of the liver. This can be reduced by using a segmented data acquisition triggered by the respiratory cycle obtained during sequential breath-holds.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Artifacts*
  • Echo-Planar Imaging / instrumentation
  • Echo-Planar Imaging / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Liver / anatomy & histology*
  • Male
  • Movement
  • Reference Values
  • Respiration / physiology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity