Non-invasive measurement of liver iron concentration using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging validation against biopsy

International audienceObjectives - To evaluate the performance and limitations of the R2* and signal intensity ratio (SIR) methods for quantifying liver iron concentration (LIC) at 3 T.Methods - A total of 105 patients who underwent a liver biopsy with biochemical LIC (LIC) were included prospectively. All patients underwent a 3-T MRI scan with a breath-hold multiple-echo gradient-echo sequence (mGRE). LIC calculated by 3-T SIR algorithm (LIC) and by R2* (LIC) were correlated with LIC. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The comparison of methods was analysed for successive classes.Results - LIC was strongly correlated with R2* (r = 0.95, p Conclusions - At 3 T, R2* provides precise LIC quantification for lower overload but the SIR method is recommended to overcome R2* limitations in higher overload. Our software, available at www.mrquantif.org , uses both methods jointly and selects the best one.Key points - • Liver iron can be accurately quantified by MRI at 3 T • At 3 T, R2* provides precise quantification of slight liver iron overload • At 3 T, SIR method is recommended in case of high iron overload • Slight liver iron overload present in metabolic syndrome can be depicted • Treatment can be monitored with great confidence.