MRI of blood volume with MS 325 in experimental choroidal melanoma

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows quantitative blood volume imaging in vivo at high tissue resolution. The purpose is to apply this technique for untreated and hyperthermia-treated experimental choroidal melanoma. MS 325 was used as new intravascular albumin-bound gadolinium-based contrast agent. Pigmented choroidal melanomas were established in albino rabbits. MRI was performed in 7 untreated eyes and 7 eyes treated with a Neodymium:Yttrium-Lanthanum-Fluoride-laser at 1047 nm. 3D-spoiled gradient echo pulse sequences were used to acquire T' weighted axial images. First, a set of images was collected without contrast agent. MS 325 was then injected i.v. and images were obtained within 12 min after injection. Signal intensities were measured within tumor, ciliary body, choroid, and iris and relative signal intensities were determined for these tissues in relation to vitreous. In untreated tumors, the relative signal intensity was higher after injection of MS 325 (5.61+0.70) than without MS 325 (2.90+0.33; p = 0.0002). In contrast, the relative signal intensity of treated tumors did not differ significantly before and after MS 325 (6.19+1.59 and 6.13+1.64). Histopathological sections indicated vascular occlusion in treated tumors. All other studied tissues of untreated and treated eyes showed a significant increase of relative signal intensities in the presence of MS 325. An animal model for the research on contrast agents in MRI is presented. Blood volume measurement with MS 325 was adapted for experimental choroidal melanomas. Reduced change of relative signal intensity indicates compromised blood volume after vascular occlusion in hyperthermia-treated melanoma. Further studies are needed to investigate whether this technique allows the evaluation of tumor viability following treatments.     

MR imaging of the her2/neu and 9.2.27 tumor antigens using immunospecific contrast agents

Molecular imaging of tumor antigens using immunospecific magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents is a rapidly evolving field, which can potentially aid in early disease detection, monitoring of treatment efficacy, and drug development. In this study, we designed, synthetized, and tested in vitro two novel monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (MION) conjugated to antibodies against the her2/neu tyrosine kinase receptor and the 9.2.27 proteoglycane sulfate. MION was synthetized by coprecipitation of iron II and iron III salts in 12-kD dextran solution; antibody coupling was performed by reductive amination. The relaxivity of the conjugates was 24.1-29.1 mM(-1) s(-1), with 1.8 to 2.1 antibody molecules per nanoparticle. A panel of cultured melanoma and mammary cell lines was used for testing. The cells were incubated with the particles at 16-32 microg Fe/ml in culture medium for 3 h at 37 degrees C, and investigated with immune fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), MRI of cell suspensions in gelatine, and spectrophotometric iron determination. All receptor-positive cell lines, but not the controls, showed receptor-specific immune fluorescence, and strong changes in T(2) signal intensity at 1.5 T. The changes in 1/T(2) were between 1.5 and 4.6 s(-1) and correlated with the amount of cell-bound iron (R = 0.92). The relaxivity of cell-bound MION increased to 55.9 +/- 10.4 mM(-1) s(-1). TEM showed anti-9.2.27 conjugates binding to the plasma membrane, while the anti-her2/neu conjugates underwent receptor-mediated endocytosis. In conclusion, we obtained receptor-specific T(2) MR contrast with novel covalently bound, multivalent MION conjugates with anti-9.2.27 and anti-her2/neu to image tumor surface antigens. This concept can potentially be expanded to a large number of targets and to in vivo applications.     

Exophytic benign tumors of the liver: appearance on MRI.

The purpose of our study was to determine the MR imaging appearance of exophytic benign liver tumors on precontrast and postgadolinium images. We reviewed our 9.5 year experience with MRI of the liver with dynamic gadolinium enhanced imaging to identify four patients with five histologically proven exophytic benign liver tumors. The histological diagnoses were cavernous hemangioma (2), focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) (1), and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) (2 exophytic adenomas in a patient with adenomatosis of the liver). All MRI studies were performed at 1.5 T and included: in-phase and out-of-phase T1-weighted spoiled gradient echo (SGE), T2-weighted fat-suppressed echo train spin echo, single shot T2-weighted sequences, and serial postgadolinium T1-weighted SGE sequences without and with fat-suppression. Prospective interpretations were reviewed and retrospective consensus readings of all MR images were performed assessing location, size, origin, morphology, visibility of the connection to the liver, signal characteristics on precontrast T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, and enhancement patterns on serial postgadolinium images. Three of the five tumors were pedunculated and connected to the liver by a thin stalk, which was prospectively identified in one patient. On precontrast and serial postgadolinium images, all exophytic tumors showed signal characteristics comparable to imaging features of standard intraparenchymal benign liver tumors. Our findings illustrate that the characteristic T1, T2, and postgadolinium imaging findings of these tumors permit correct identification of their liver origin despite their exophytic location, even if their connection with liver is not visualized.     

Hemorrhagic cerebral metastases from thyroid cancer on T2*-weighted gradient echo MRI

We report a case of multiple hemorrhagic cerebral metastases from papillary thyroid cancer, with reference to T(2)*-weighted gradient echo (GRE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Small metastatic nodules were recognized as round nodules with signal loss on T(2)*-weighted GRE MRI, and were more pronounced compared with other sequences. Lesions were later confirmed as hemorrhagic on T(1)- and T(2)-weighted MRI. T(2)*-weighted GRE MRI was a sensitive tool for early detection of metastases displaying hemorrhagic changes.     

Gradient-echo imaging of hemorrhage at 1.5 Tesla

We report in vitro and in vivo MR studies of hemorrhage using the gradient-echo pulse sequence, FISP (steady state free precession) and FLASH (spoiling of transverse magnetization) at 1.5 Tesla. Phantoms containing methemoglobin, ferromagnetic particles, human serum and blood clot were scanned using both spin-echo and gradient-echo techniques. FLASH signal intensities were more sensitive to methemoglobin concentration than high T1-weighted spin-echo images. FISP showed little change in signal intensity with varying concentrations of methemoglobin and a contrast relationship similar to T2-weighted spin-echo techniques. FISP and FLASH showed intensity changes at lower concentrations of ferromagnetic material than T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. In vitro blood clot was less intense when observed by FISP and FLASH sequences than on the T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. Maximum contrast between clot and other blood components occurred at a flip angle of 45 degrees for FLASH and 60 degrees for FISP. FISP and FLASH scans of patients with hemorrhage demonstrated a marked decrease in signal intensity in the region of blood clot. This decrease was more pronounced with the gradient-echo sequences than with T2-weighted spin-echo images. We conclude that FLASH is useful for detecting methemoglobin and that both FISP and FLASH are useful for evaluating hemorrhage because of their sensitivity to methemoglobin.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of malignant fibrous histiocytoma

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in 39 patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-one sarcomas were in the lower extremity, five each in the upper extremity and trunk, two each in the neck and heart, and one each in the maxillary sinus, sella turcica, tongue, and spermatic cord. The examinations were performed with spin-echo sequences on a 1.5 Tesla Signa Scanner (GE, Milwaukee WI). Twenty-two tumors exhibited intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and 23 were of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. There was no significant differences in signal intensity of 12 preoperative and 13 recurrent neoplasms. Twelve of 13 patients were correctly diagnosed as having postoperative changes. The MR sensitivity and specificity for detecting a neoplasm were 96% and 83% respectively, but the signal changes were nonspecific for MFH. When compared to CT in 14 patients, MR better defined the extent of the MFH, its relationship to surrounding tissues and vessels, and best differentiated residual or recurrent disease from postoperative changes when examined at least 3 months after surgery.     

Synovial sarcoma: MR imaging

Ten patients with biopsy-proved synovial sarcoma were evaluated by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on a 1.5-T unit. The lesions showed intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and heterogeneous high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Tumors were well-demarcated from normal tissues. Additional information included adjacent bone involvement (one case), femoral vein invasion by tumor (one case), and hemorrhage within the tumors (one case). Four patients underwent a repeat MR examination following chemotherapy. This showed a decrease in size and increase in the signal intensity of three tumors on T2-weighted images, proven to be due to necrosis in one. These changes correlated with clinical regression of disease. While MR in synovial sarcoma does not have any specific signal intensity, it proved to be useful in defining the extent of disease and in determining the response to chemotherapy.     

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: MRI findings

The purpose of this study was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) on T(1)-weighted, T(2)-weighted and postgadolinium images. A total of 13 lesions were demonstrated in 13 patients. All patients underwent MR examination at 1 T imager. MR examinations included precontrast T(1)-weighted breathing averaged spin echo (SE), breath-hold spoiled gradient echo, T(2)-weighted TSE sequences with and without fat suppression, and T(1)-weighted breath-hold spoiled gradient echo (SGE) sequence following i.v. after gadolinium administration. All lesions were confirmed with histopathology. HAE hepatic lesions revealed geographic patterns of variable signal intensities on noncontrast T(1)- and T(2)-weighted images. Slightly hyperintense, iso- and hypointense signal on T(1)-weighted images corresponded to calcified regions, which appeared hypo-isointense signal on T(2)-weighted images. Necrotic areas were hypointense signal on T(1)-weighted and hyperintense signal on T(2)-weighted images. On postgadolinium images, lesions did not reveal enhancement. Dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts distal to HAE abscesses were observed in five patients and portal vein invasion or compression was observed in four patients, lobar atrophy of the liver was coexistent finding in cases with portal vein compression. The MRI appearance of HAE abscesses included large irregularly marginated masses with heterogenous signal on T(1)- and T(2)-weighted images and lack of enhancement with gadolinium.     

MR signal change in venous thrombus relates organizing process and thrombolytic response in rabbit

Venous thrombus is subsequently organized and replaced by fibrous connective tissue. However, the sequential changes in venous thrombi are not reliably detected by current noninvasive diagnostic techniques. The purpose of this study is to reveal whether magnetic resonance (MR) can detect venous thrombus, define thrombus age and predict thrombolytic responses. Thrombus in the rabbit jugular vein was imaged with a 1.5-T MR system at 4 h and at 1, 2 and 4 weeks using three-dimensional (3D) fast asymmetric spin echo T2-weighted (T2W) and 3D-gradient echo T1-weighted (T1W) sequences. The jugular veins were histologically assessed at each time point. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also performed in vivo before and 30 min after tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) administration. The thrombi in MRI were comparable in size to histological sections. The signal intensity (SI) of thrombi at 4 h was heterogeneously high or low on T2W or T1W images, respectively. The SI of thrombi on T2W images decreased time-dependently, but increased on T1W images at 1 and 2 weeks. Morphological analysis showed time-dependent decreases in erythrocyte, platelet and fibrin areas and time-dependent increases in smooth muscle cell, macrophage, collagen and iron areas. The t-PA administration significantly decreased thrombus volume at 4 h but not at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Venous thrombosis can be reliably and noninvasively detected by MRI. Measurement of SI might support assessments of thrombus age and thrombolytic response.     

MRI characterization of residual mediastinal masses in Hodgkin's disease: long-term follow-up

Our purpose was to evaluate the role of MRI in distinguishing fibrous from active residual masses in treated Hodgkin's disease. Forty patients with residual mediastinal mass larger than 1.5 cm underwent MRI 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the end of cycles of prescribed chemotherapy or combined chemoradiotherapy. The MRI examinations were performed on a 0.5 and a 1.5 T systems, using T(1) before and after gadolinium injection and T(2)-weighted sequences. Each time the residual mass was evaluated in size and signal intensity on spin echo (SE) T(2)-weighted images and on SE T(1)-weighted images after contrast medium. Low signal intensity and low contrast enhancement were considered signs of inactive residues; homogeneous high signal intensity and high contrast enhancement were indicative of active residual disease; heterogeneous signal intensity and heterogeneous contrast enhancement were indicative of partial remission or necrotic/inflammatory phenomena. MR showed high diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of Hodgkin's mediastinal residues after treatment, if performed at least 6 months after the end of therapy, reaching the highest sensitivity and specificity values at 12 month follow-up (considering the three parameters-T(2) signal intensity, contrast-enhancement, and size-all together). If we consider the single parameters individually, we can observe that size variation remains the more valuable parameter to predict or to exclude a relapse. MR diagnostic accuracy at the 6-month follow-up was lower due to the higher incidence of inhomogeneous pattern. The accuracy of MR performed at 1 and at 3 months after the end of therapy was not satisfying. This represents a clinical problem because the most important clinical decisions have to be taken just in this early post-treatment phase.     

Ovarian Brenner tumors: MR imaging characteristics

This study describes the appearance of Brenner tumors on MR imaging and compares quantitative signal intensity measurements of Brenner tumors with that of other ovarian tumors. A search of pathologic and MR records disclosed patients who had MRIs showing Brenner tumors prior to surgical excision. Patients (21) with other surgically proven ovarian masses were randomly selected for comparison. MR imaging was performed at 1.5 T with phased array multicoils and fast spin echo T2-weighted images. Region-of-interest measurements of signal intensity (SI) were made to calculate signal intensity ratios (SIR = mass SI/muscle SI). Brenner tumors showed significantly lower SIR than other tumors on T2-weighted images (p = 0 .004) and similar SIR on T1-weighted images. Brenner tumors show lower signal intensity on T2-weighted images than other non-fibrous ovarian tumors. This lower signal intensity may result from the extensive fibrous content of these tumors.     

MR imaging findings of infectious cholangitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the appearance of infectious cholangitis on MRI. The MR images of 13 patients (9 women, 4 men; age range, 14-79 years) with clinically confirmed infectious cholangitis, who represent our complete 9.5 year experience with this entity, were retrospectively evaluated. All MR studies were performed at 1.5 T and included: in-phase and out-of-phase T(1)-weighted spoiled gradient echo (SGE), T(2)-weighted fat-suppressed echo train spin echo, single shot T(2)-weighted sequences, and serial postgadolinium T(1)-weighted SGE sequences without and with fat-suppression. The biliary ductal system was evaluated regarding presence of dilatation, stenosis, wall irregularities, wall thickening, and gadolinium enhancement of duct walls. The liver parenchyma was evaluated regarding focal signal abnormalities on precontrast and serial postgadolinium images. Biliary ductal dilatation was observed in 100% of patients. Mild to moderate thickening of bile duct walls combined with increased enhancement on postgadolinium images was observed in 92% of patients. The liver parenchyma showed periportal or wedge-shaped areas of hyperintense signal on T(2)-weighted images in 69% of patients. On T(1)-weighted images, 54% of patients showed areas of hypointense signal and 15% of patients showed wedge-shaped hyperintense areas. Areas with increased enhancement on immediate postgadolinium SGE were observed in 58% of patients, and in 42% of patients increased enhancement persisted on 2 min postgadolinium fat-suppressed images. Distinctive MRI findings on pre- and postgadolinium images are appreciated for infectious cholangitis.     

The rotator cuff tear: MR evaluation

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is evolving as a particularly valuable diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of musculoskeletal pathology. To assess the role of MRI as applied to the shoulder, we examined eight normal volunteers, six patients with seven arthrographically proven rotator cuff tears and two patients with impingement symptomatology but with negative double contrast conventional and computed tomographic arthrography. The studies were performed on a 1-Tesla magnet operating at 0.5 Tesla. Coronal T1-weighted images were obtained in all cases and coronal spin density and T2-weighted pulse sequences were employed in two cases. In the normal individuals, the supraspinatus muscle and tendon could be consistently demonstrated. The proximal humeral marrow, the superior glenoid labrum, and the acromioclavicular joint could also be examined. Findings in patients with rotator cuff tears included: (1) hypointense gap within the supraspinatus muscle-tendon complex on T1-weighted sequences, (2) absence of a demonstrable supraspinatus tendon with narrowing of the subacromial space secondary to elevation of the humeral head, and (3) increased signal within the supraspinatus tendon on T2-weighted images. In the patients with impingement syndrome and negative arthrography, MR demonstrated elevation of the supraspinatus tendon with subacromial impingement in one case and a normal supraspinatus tendon in the other. Impingement on the coracoacroaminal arch causes progressive fibrosis, atrophy, and eventual tear of the rotator cuff. The potential applications of MRI relative to the shoulder include assessment of tendon retraction in patients with supraspinatus tears and noninvasive evaluation of patients with impingement syndrome, permitting etiologic determinations, hopefully before irreversible tendon injury has occurred.     

MRI of liver tumors using gadolinium-DOTA: prospective study comparing spin-echo long TR-te sequence and CT

Thirty-nine patients with liver tumors were examined using MRI at 0.5 T before and after intravenous bolus injection of either 0.1 mmol/kg (n = 18) or 0.2 mmol/kg (n = 21) of Gadolinium-Dota, using spin-echo T1-and T2-weighted sequences before injections and spin-echo or gradient-echo sequences after injection. When contrast-to-noise (C/N) data were normalized relative to time, optimal mean C/N was observed after gadolinium injection. However, subjective study and case-by-case C/N measurement showed better contrast for SE 2000/60 and CT with injection in 62% and 42% of cases, respectively.     

Conventional high resolution versus fast T(2)-weighted MR imaging of the heart: assessment of reperfusion induced myocardial injury in an animal model

Cardiac image quality in terms of spatial resolution and signal contrast was assessed for conventional and newly developed T(2)-weighted fast spin-echo imaging with high k-space segmentation. The capability in revealing regional myocardial edema and cellular damage was examined by a porcine model using histopathologic correlation. Twelve porcine hearts were excised from slaughtered animals and instantly perfused with 1000 mL cold cardioplegic solution. After 4 h of cold ischemia the hearts were reperfused for one hour using a "Langendorff" perfusion model followed by MR imaging at 1.5 Tesla. Three additional pig hearts served as controls and were studied by MR directly after harvesting. Histopathological analysis of regional tissue changes was performed macro- and microscopically. Short axis T(2)-weighted (3000/45 and 90) high quality fast spin-echo (FSE) images were recorded without cardiac action and signal intensity was correlated with histology. These images also served as gold standard for evaluation of newly developed faster sequences allowing measuring times shorter than 20 s. Fast T(2)-weighted imaging comprised single-slice fast spin echo (moderate echo train length of 23 echoes, FSE(m)), and multi-slice single-shot half-Fourier fast spin-echo (71 echoes, FSE(HASTE)) sequences, supplemented by versions with inversion recovery preparation (FSE(m)IR and FSE(HASTE)IR). Systolic function after reperfusion was restored in 10 porcine hearts. Tissue alterations included myocardial edema and contraction band necrosis which was found to be most severe in myocardium with maximum T(2) SI. Especially FSE(m) and FSE(m)IR sequences allowed differentiation of all categories of tissue damage on a high level of significance. In contrast, single-shot FSE(HASTE) and FSE(HASTE)IR sequences did not provide sufficient image quality to discriminate moderate and severe myocardial damage (p > 0.05). Different degrees of myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion can be staged by MR imaging, especially using conventional high resolution T(2)-weighted FSE sequences. The animal study indicates that fast T(2)-weighted FSE(m) and FSE(m)IR sequences lead to superior image quality and diagnostic accuracy compared to FSE(HASTE) and FSE(HASTE)IR imaging.     

MR monitoring of focused ultrasound surgery in a breast tissue model in vivo

The objective of this study was to investigate MRI methods for monitoring focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) of breast tumors. To this end, the mammary glands of sheep were used as tissue model. The tissue was treated in vivo with numerous single sonications which covered extended target volumes by employing a scanning technique. The ultrasound focus position was controlled by online temperature mapping based on the temperature dependence of the relaxation time T(1). This approach proved to be reliable and offers thus an alternative to proton resonance frequency methods, whose application is hampered in fatty tissues. FUS-induced tissue changes were visible on T(2)- as well as on pre- and post-contrast T(1)-weighted images. According to our initial experience, noninvasive MRI-guided FUS of breast tumors is feasible.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of inflammatory lesions in muscular and soft tissues: an experimental infection model induced by Candida albicans

We have developed an experimental model to monitor inflammatory lesions in muscle and soft-tissues during the different stages of the disease by means of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). MRI of mice legs infected with Candida albicans was performed by standard two-dimensional spin echo and fast spin echo (RARE) using customized coils. The MRI findings were compared with pathologic examinations at the initial acute and established acute inflammatory stages, which provided accurate and detailed information on the evolution of the processes involved. The yeast caused inflammation within the first hours post-inoculation, appearing on T2-weighted images as an inhomogeneous mass with increased signal intensity. The presence of fungal hyphae was observed as hypointense signal areas in both T2 and T1 weighted images, with histologic confirmation. Areas of decreased signal intensity on T2 weighted images were apparent on the last experimental day and were attributed to the granulation tissue located within the capsule surrounding the abscess. The close correlation found between MRI and histopathology suggests that MRI is an ideal radiologic technique for monitoring the clinical and therapeutic follow-up of fungal infections in muscle and soft tissues.     

MR imaging of acute cortical venous infarction: preliminary experience with an animal model

Surgically ligated cortical veins in rabbits produced areas of hemorrhage and infarction. Pathological correlation with serial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of these surgically created lesions was obtained. Imaging within 4 hours after ligation showed the site of venous infarction to be a focus of low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (T1WI) within a larger overlapping area of high intensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI). The serial imaging showed persistence of T1WI and T2WI changes without alteration of pattern. At 3-day follow-up, both the T1WI and T2WI changes were maximal. At 7- and 14-day follow-up, T1WI and T2WI changes showed regression. There was no identifiable site of paramagnetic influence within the lesions produced. This lack of local paramagnetic effect may be related to the acuteness and minute size of the lesions, partial volume effects, and/or atmospheric exposure of the lesion related to the surgical procedure. Our preliminary results are encouraging not only for trying to image cortical venous infarction but also in trying to define the sensitivity of MRI for small cortical lesions.     

In vivo MRI reveals the dynamics of pathological changes in the brains of cathepsin D-deficient mice and correlates changes in manganese-enhanced MRI with microglial activation

Cathepsin D (CTSD; EC 3.4.23.5) is essential for normal development and/or maintenance of neurons in the central nervous system: its deficiency causes a devastating neurological disorder with severely shortened life span in man, sheep and mouse. Neuropathologically, the CTSD deficiencies are characterized by selective neuronal degeneration, gliosis and accumulation of autofluorescent proteinaceous storage material in neurons. Our aim was to study the dynamics behind the pathological alterations occurring in the brains of CTSD-deficient (CTSD-/-) mice by using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology. In order to do this, we measured T(2) signal intensity (SI), apparent diffusion coefficient, area and volume of multiple brain structures from MR images acquired using T(2)-, T(1)- and diffusion-weighted sequences at three time points during disease progression. MRI revealed no differences in the brains between CTSD-/- and control mice at postnatal day 15+/-1 (P15+/-1), representing an initial stage of the disease. In the intermediate stage of the disease, P19(+/-1), SI alterations in the thalami of the affected mice became evident in both T(1)- and T(2)-weighted images. The terminal stage of the disease, P25, was characterized by marked alterations in the T(2) SI, apparent diffusion coefficient and volume of multiple brain structures in CTSD-/- mice. In addition, manganese enhanced high-resolution T(1)-weighted 3D sequences (MEMRI) and histological stainings revealed that the hyperintense signal areas in MEMRI matched perfectly with areas of microglial activation in the brains of CTSD-/- mice at the terminal disease stage. In conclusion, the SI alterations in the thalami of CTSD-/- mice preceded other changes, and the degenerative process was greatly enhanced at the age P19(+/-1), leading to severely reduced brain volume in just 6 days.     

Breath-hold T2-weighted sequences of the liver: a comparison of four techniques at 1.0 and 1.5 T.

T2-weighted images are considered the most sensitive for lesion detection at high field; however, long imaging time is problematic. Accordingly, the authors compared four breath-hold T2 or T2* weighted sequences comprising T2*-weighted FLASH, T2*-weighted PSIF, T2-weighted rapid spin echo (RASE), and T2-weighted Turbo-FLASH (Turbo) in 20 different healthy volunteers, 10 at 1.0 T and 10 at 1.5 T with reference to regular T2-weighted spin echo. Images were evaluated quantitatively by liver signal to noise (S/N) and spleen-liver signal difference to noise (SD/N) ratios and qualitatively for presence of artifacts and image quality. Data were evaluated for 1.0 T and 1.5 T separately and combined. In the combined evaluation, T2*-FLASH had good S/N (23.1 + 5.1) but low SD/N (2.9 + 1.7) and suffered from susceptibility artifacts. T2* PSIF had good S/N (28.1 + 10.0) and moderate SD/N (6.0 + 2.4), but occasionally had heterogeneous signal intensity. Flow signal void was an attractive feature. T2 RASE had very low S/N (4.4 + 1.9) and low SD/N (2.3 + 1.1) and suffered from flow artifacts. T2-Turbo had good S/N (24.6 + 8.6) and SD/N (8.9 + 2.5). Flow signal void was present, but small matrix size decreased image quality. The results of our study suggest that T2*-PSIF and T2-Turbo have good S/N and SD/N and fair image quality which may be clinically useful for breath-hold T2-weighted sequences of the liver.