Repeatability and reproducibility report on a novel gravitational MR Elastography device

Motivation: We want contribute to establish MR Elastography as a reliable imaging technique for liver characterization. Goal(s): To validate the repeatability and reproducibility of a novel, gravitational hepatic MRE system using a generalized multi-shot GRE-MRE sequence. Approach: 57 health volunteers underwent 2D and 3D hepatic MRE scans on a 3T Siemens scanner. The repeatability was evaluated through repeated volunteer scans without repositioning, while reproducibility was performed by re-positioning the volunteer after each acquisition. Results: The repeatability and reproducibility coefficients of 2D-MRE were 0.11, 0.20 and for 3D-MRE, 0.21, 0.24, respectively. Repeatability and reproducibility for the 2D-MRE to 3D-MRE cases were 0.44 and 0.45, respectively. Impact: We evaluated a new MRE system provides sufficient mechanical vibration which results in high repeatability and reproducibility. This, in combination with the fast GRE-MRE sequence providing sufficient SNR and PNR, serves as a valuable solution.