Optimization of breathing instructions and timing of late arterial phase acquisition on gadobutrol-enhanced MRI of the liver

Purpose To compare a protocol with higher concentration macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) [study group] to the traditional protocol with lower-concentration linear GBCAs [control group] for breath-held arterial phase magnetic resonance imaging. Material and methods A total of 136 patients were quantitatively evaluated for image quality (IQ), breathing artifacts (BA), and timing of the arterial phase (Tap). Quantitative analysis was also performed. Results No significant differences in IQ, BA and Tap (P>.05). Study group exhibited less enhancement of the aorta (P=.0091) and smaller standard deviation for the portal vein enhancement (P=.0173). Conclusion Similar arterial-phase image quality can be achieved with a macrocyclic GBCA compared to traditional linear GBCA.