Dynamic Gd-enhanced MR imaging of hepatic hemangioma: is high temporal resolution requisite for characterization?

We assessed the value of high temporal resolution in the dynamic characterization of hepatic hemangioma with use of magnetization-prepared gradient-echo (MP-GRE) imaging. Single-level inversion recovery incremental flip angle MP-GRE images were obtained in 26 patients with 34 hemangiomas before and at a repetition rate of 30 images/min after injection of Gd-DTPA without breath-holding. Enhancement patterns and temporal changes thereof were analyzed.