Effect of Gd-DTPA induCED susceptibility on single-point dixon fat/water separation

A single‐point Dixon (SPD) fat/water separation method is proposed for breast dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) in which field inhomogeneities and phase offsets measured prior to the injection of gadopentate dimeglumine (Gd‐DTPA) are used to correct the postinjection images. A breast phantom study was conducted to demonstrate this technique, in which varying excess concentrations of Gd‐DTPA (0–3 mM) were introduced into a 25‐cm3 breast lesion. The presence of excess Gd‐DTPA in the lesion was found to create magnetic field perturbations of up to 0.35 μT per mM excess Gd‐DTPA around the lesion. However, these perturbations had a negligible effect on the quality of the fat/water separation for Gd‐DTPA concentrations in the range of, and exceeding, those observed in breast tumors following a standard 0.1 mmole/kg injection. Therefore, we conclude that the preinjection phase data is adequate for the correction of the postinjection images in breast exams. Magn Reson Med, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.