Test-retest reliability of in-vivo 31P MRSI of the whole human liver at 7 Tesla using a 31P whole-body transmit coil and 16-channel receive array

Abstract

Alterations in 31P metabolite concentrations in the liver can be a consequence of liver disease and therefore 3D 31P MRSI can help in diagnosis and following progression and treatment response. However, commonly used 31P surface coils have a limited penetration depth and do not provide full coverage of the liver. We used an integrated 31P whole-body transmit coil with a local 31P receive array for 31P MRSI of the liver at a 7T MRI scanner. Here we demonstrate that 31P signals can be measured throughout the liver and 31P metabolite levels can be quantified with good to excellent test-retest reliability.