Multicenter validation of the magnetic resonance T2* technique for segmental and global quantification of myocardial iron

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2009 Jul;30(1):62-8. doi: 10.1002/jmri.21781.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the transferability of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) multislice multiecho T2(*) technique for global and segmental measurement of iron overload in thalassemia patients.

Materials and methods: Multiecho T2(*) sequences were installed on six MRI scanners. Five healthy subjects (n = 30) were scanned at each site; five thalassemia major (TM) patients were scanned at the reference site and were rescanned locally (n = 25) within 1 month. T2(*) images were analyzed using previously validated software.

Results: T2(*) values of healthy subjects showed intersite homogeneity. On TM patients, for global heart T2(*) values the correlation coefficient was 0.97, coefficients of variation (CoV(s)) ranged from 0.04-0.12, and intraclass coefficients (ICC(s)) ranged from 0.94-0.99. The mean CoV and ICC for segmental T2(*) distribution were 0.198 and 88, respectively.

Conclusion: The multislice multiecho T2(*) technique is transferable among scanners with good reproducibility.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Heart Ventricles / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Italy
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Thalassemia / metabolism*

Substances

  • Iron