Free-breathing Star volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination sequence for acquisition of chest T1WI / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the application value of free-breathing Star volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (StarVIBE) sequence for acquisition of chest T1WI. Methods: Data of 37 patients with chest lesions detected with CT were collected. The patients were divided into unable-to-hold-breath group (n=17) and able-to-hold-breath group(n=20) according to whether they could hold breath for 20 s or not. Then all patients underwent plain and delayed phase enhanced StarVIBE sequence and conventional VIBE sequence MR examinations. Imaging qualities were evaluated using "5-point scale" in terms of lesion conspicuity, artifact, pulmonary vessels sharpness, mediastinal structures conspicuity and overall quality, and then were compared between sequences and groups, respectively. Results: In unable-to-hold-breath group, the scores of StarVIBE sequence were higher than those of conventional VIBE sequence on both plain and enhanced images (all P0.05), and the scores of artifact and the overall image quality were not statistically different between two sequences (all P>0.05). However, in able-to-hold-breath group, StarVIBE sequence demonstrated higher score of pulmonary vessels sharpness on both plain and enhanced images (P<0.05). Conclusion: For acquisition of chest T1WI, using free-breathing StarVIBE sequence can achieve similar image quality to conventional VIBE sequence patients being able to breath-holding. For patients being unable to hold breath, relative good image quality could be obtained using free-breathing StarVIBE sequence.