Normal T1 relaxometry and extracellular volume of the pancreas in subjects with no pancreas disease: correlation with age and gender

Objective Determine normal T 1 and extracellular volume (ECV) of the pancreas in subjects with no pancreas disease and correlate with age and gender. Subjects and methods We imaged 120 healthy subjects (age range 20–78 years) who are on annual screening with MRI/MRCP for the possibility of pancreatic cancer. Subjects had a predisposition to develop pancreatic cancer, but no history of pancreas disease or acute symptoms. Equal number ( n = 60) of subjects were scanned on either 1.5 T or 3 T scanner using dual flip angle spoiled gradient echo technique incorporating fat suppression and correction for B 1 field inhomogeneity. Optimization of imaging parameters was performed using a T 1 phantom. ECV was calculated using pre- and post-contrast T 1 of the pancreas and plasma. Regression analysis and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Median T 1 on 1.5 T was 654 ms (IQR 608–700); median T 1 on 3 T was 717 ms (IQR 582–850); median ECV on 1.5 T was 0.28 (IQR 0.21–0.33), and median ECV on 3 T was 0.25 (IQR 0.19–0.28). Age had a mild positive correlation with T 1 ( r = 0.24, p = 0.009), but not with ECV ( r = 0.06, p = 0.54). T 1 and ECV were similar in both genders ( p > 0.05). Conclusion This study measured the median T 1 and ECV of the pancreas in subjects with no pancreas disease. Pancreas shows longer T 1 relaxation times in older population, whereas extracellular fraction remains unchanged. Median T 1 values were different between two magnet strengths; however, no difference was seen between genders and ECV fractions.