Liver MR Elastography at 3 T: Agreement Across Pulse Sequences and Effect of Liver R2* on Image Quality.

Objective: The objectives of our study were to compare MR elastography (MRE) based on gradient-recalled echo (GRE) imaging with spin-echo echo-planar imaging (SEEPI) and rapid fractional (RF)-GRE MRE sequences at 3 T in terms of liver stiffness (LS) and image quality and to evaluate the effect of liver R2* on image quality.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-one patients underwent 3-T liver MRE with GRE, SE-EPI, and RF-GRE sequences performed in variable order in this study. LS and ROI areas on the LS 95% confidence maps were compared among the three sequences.