Assessment of segment specific flip angle distribution in Multi-Transmit 3.0T liver imaging: effects on contrast weighting in standard imaging

Purpose: To measure the segment specific B1 field distribution in 3.0T liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with and without parallel transmit technology and to analyze related contrast changes in standard T1w and T2w imaging. Materials and Methods: Nine healthy volunteers (median age 30.2±6.9; mean BMI 23.3±3.7) were included in this study, which was approved by the local Ethic committee. In a 3.0T clinical MR scanner capable of two-channel transmit SENSE spin excitation, the hepatic B1 field distribution was measured using Actual Flip angle Imaging (TR1=72ms, TR2=192ms, TE 2.2ms, excitation angle 60°). B1 am…