Image quality of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the liver using dual-source parallel radiofrequency transmission technology: Comparison with the post-processing correction method for B1 inhomogeneity-induced signal loss

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the dual-source parallel radiofrequency system (DS system) for gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-EOB-MRI). Materials and methods: Twenty-six subjects with liver diseases underwent hepatobiliary phase imaging of Gd-EOB-MRI using either the DS system or a single-source radiofrequency system with or without body-tuned CLEAR, which is a post-processing correction method of B1 inhomogeneity-induced signal loss (SSBTC+ and SSBTC-, respectively). The left and right lobes of the liver were separately assessed. Qualitatively, the homogeneity of signal intensity distribution was scored using a 3-point scale. Quantitatively, lesion-to-liver and spleen-to-liver contrast ratios (CRs) were calculated. The scores and CRs were compared among the three techniques by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference post hoc test. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant for each analysis. Results: The DS system showed a significantly better score in the left lobe of the liver, and higher lesion-to-liver and spleen-to-liver CRs in the left and right lobes of the liver, compared with SSBTC+ or SSBTC- (p < 0.05). The DS system and SSBTC- showed no significant differences in scores in the right lobe of the liver but they showed significantly better scores than SSBTC+ (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The DS system is more advantageous to improve the homogeneity of signal intensity distribution and tissue contrast of Gd-EOB-MRI than the post-processing correction method independently of the site.