Magnetom symphony maestro class

All patients were examined on a 1.5 T MRI scanner (Siemens Magnetom Symphony Maestro Class, Erlangen, Germany) using a conventional scan protocol, including T2-weighted sequences in axial and sagittal views (slice thickness = 4 mm, TR = 4.0-6.9 ms, TE = 114-124 ms). All scanning was performed with a fixed receiver amplifier gain to normalize the signal intensity.

At both institutions, all MR examinations were performed by using either a 3-T or 1.5-T imager (Magnetom Trio Tim or Magnetom Symphony Maestro Class; Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) with the following sequences: T1-weighted in phase and opposed phase, respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fat-suppressed turbo spin echo, and three-dimensional fat-suppressed gradient-echo T1-weighted acquisitions. Dynamic gadoxetic acid-enhanced sequences were performed by using a bolus tracking system during the arterial phase. The dose of contrast media was based on the weight of the patient (0.025 mmol/kg or 0.1 mL/kg, maximum of 10 mL) and was administered with a power injector (Medrad Spectris Solaris EP MR Injection System; Bayer Healthcare). The flow rate was 1 mL/sec, followed by a 200-mL saline solution flush (administered at 1 mL/sec). The portal venous (PV) and delayed phase images were then acquired at 70 and 300 seconds, respectively. The HBP images were obtained 20 minutes after intravenous administration of gadoxetic acid. Table 1 provides the examination parameters.