Comparison of free breathing 3D mDIXON with single breath-hold 3D inversion recovery sequences for the assessment of Late Gadolinium Enhancement

PurposeTo evaluate the technical and diagnostic performance of three dimensional (3D) mDIXON versus 3D inversion recovery (3D VIAB) spectral presaturation with SPIR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequences.MethodsA total 78 patients (50 males 28 females, age 49 ± 18 years) 1.5 T CMR examination including different LGE sequences mDIXON, VIAB, were evaluated for by two readers. Qualitative scores quantitative signal contrast-to-noise ratios compared among sequences. comparisons made using Friedman Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Quantitative one way ANOVA. Reader agreements tested Cohen’s Kappa. Any p-value <0.05 was significant.Results19 out (24 %) excluded due to poor (grade 4) image quality 29 absence LGE. For remaining 30 patients, free breathing showed higher confidence in diagnosis subepicardial (p-value < 0.05). outperformed SPIR both visualization (p = 0.02) fat suppression 0.001). Nevertheless, lower other sequences.ConclusionFree is a problem-solving tool, especially when making and/or needed, owing its high spatial resolution robust suppression. Choice sequence should be based on patient’s breath-hold ability, needs, institutional availability considering strengths limitations each sequence.