Evaluation of transient respiratory motion artifact at gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI—Influence of different contrast agent application protocols

PURPOSE: To evaluate transient severe respiratory motion artifacts (TSM) at gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI dependent on the mode of contrast agent application. METHODS: 200 patients (71f, 129m; mean 51y) were included in this retrospective IRB-approved study. Contrast application protocols (n = 4) differed with regards to injection rate (2ml or 1ml/sec), dose (weight-based or fixed 10ml) and supplemental oxygen administration (yes/no). SNR measurements were performed in the aorta and portal vein. Qualitatively, three readers assessed arterial phase image quality and TSM independently (4- and 5-point scale, respectively). Quantitative and qualitative results were compared (Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn’s multiple comparison test). The influence of different contrast agent application parameters on the occurrence of respiratory motion artifacts was assessed (univariate analysis). Interrater agreement and reliability were calculated (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC)). RESULTS: Use of a lower contrast injection rate resulted in significantly higher arterial SNR in the aorta and portal vein (p<0.05). TSM was observed in 12% of examinations. Neither injection rate, contrast dose, nor oxygen had a significant influence. Interrater agreement and reliability for evaluation of image quality and respiratory motion were substantial/ almost perfect (ICC = 0.640–0.915). CONCLUSIONS: Technical factors regarding the specific mode of contrast application do not seem to significantly reduce the incidence of severe transient respiratory motion artifacts.