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Optimizing Liver MRI Using Breath-Holding With and Without Oxygen

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
MRI
MRI Image Enhancement
Registration Number
NCT07135401
Lead Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
Brief Summary

The goal of this interventional study (clinical trial) is to learn if different breath-holding techniques, with and without extra oxygen, can improve the quality of abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) images in healthy adults, ages 18-75.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does breath-holding at end-expiration improve image quality in abdominal MRI scans?

* Does adding oxygen while breath-holding further reduce motion artifacts in abdominal MRI scans?

Researchers will compare breath-holding with and without oxygen to see if using oxygen improves image quality during MRI scans.

Participants will:

* Be pre-screened for MRI safety and trained on breath-hold procedures

* Have one non-contrast abdominal MRI scan at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) China Basin Imaging Center

* Use two different breath-holding techniques during the scan, with and without oxygen

* Complete one study visit lasting about 45 minutes to 1 hour

Detailed Description

This is a within-subject, randomized crossover interventional study conducted at UCSF China Basin Imaging Center using a 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3T MRI scanner). The study aims to optimize abdominal MRI protocols by evaluating the impact of breath-holding techniques, with and without oxygen supplementation, on motion artifacts and overall image quality.

Each participant will undergo non-contrast abdominal MRI scans using two breath-hold conditions: (1) Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)/end-expiration without oxygen and (2) FRC/end-expiration with preoxygenation. The order of these conditions will be randomized to control for potential order effects, and each participant will serve as their own control to reduce inter-individual variability.

T2-weighted and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) sequences will be acquired during each breath-hold trial. MRI-compatible pulse oximetry will be used to monitor oxygen saturation and pulse rate throughout scanning. A radiology research nurse will be present if additional monitoring is needed based on the participant's pre-screening or intra-scan findings. Participants will receive training on breath-hold procedures prior to imaging to improve consistency and comfort during scanning.

Two board-certified radiologists, blinded to the breath-hold condition, will independently assess each image set for motion artifacts and overall image quality using a standardized 5-point grading system. The grading will range from very poor (1) to very good (5) based on sharpness, visibility of anatomical details, and presence of blurring or signal loss.

Inter-rater reliability will be evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Statistical analyses will include repeated measures ANOVA to compare image quality scores across breath-holding conditions. Descriptive analyses will assess breath-hold durations and participant characteristics (e.g., age, gender) in relation to image quality and safety outcomes, including oxygen saturation and self-reported comfort.

This study involves minimal risk, does not utilize contrast agents, and is intended to support the development of motion-reduced, efficient liver MRI protocols, particularly for living liver donor evaluation. Data collected during the study will not be used for clinical decision-making.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subject must be within 18-75 years of age;
  • Subject must be able to hear and understand instructions without assistive devices;
  • Subject must provide written informed consent;
  • Subject has the necessary mental capacity to understand instructions, and is able to comply with protocol requirements;
  • Subject is able to remain still for duration of imaging procedure (approximately 30-45 minutes)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Subjects with a weight greater than 499 lbs;
  • Subjects that have metallic/conductive or electrically/magnetically active implants without Magnetic Resonance (MR) Safe or Magnetic Resonance (MR) Conditional labeling, with the exception of dental devices/fillings, surgical clips, and surgical staples determined to be safe for MRI scanning by a physician investigator;
  • Subjects that have implants with MR Unsafe labeling;
  • Subjects that have implants labeled as MR Conditional by the manufacturer for which the allowable conditions are not expected to be achieved by the MR environment or scan protocol;
  • Subjects who have a contraindication to MRI per the screening policy of the participating site;
  • Subjects with any respiratory or cardiovascular condition that could compromise safe breath holding;
  • Subjects who are female and pregnant

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Liver MRI Image Quality (Motion Artifacts)During the single MRI session (approximately 1 hour)

Image quality of liver MRI scans will be assessed by quantifying the degree of respiratory motion artifacts under two breath-holding conditions: Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) alone and FRC with oxygen supplementation. Reduced artifacts indicate improved image clarity and feasibility of the technique.

Unit of Measure: Motion artifact score (ordinal scale, e.g., 1-5).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Breath-Holding DurationDuring the MRI session (approximately 1 hour)

The duration (in seconds) that participants can comfortably sustain a breath-hold under each condition (FRC alone and FRC with oxygen supplementation). Unit of Measure: Seconds.

Oxygen Saturation During Breath-HoldingDuring the MRI session (approximately 1 hour)

Peripheral oxygen saturation will be monitored during each breath-hold condition to assess physiologic tolerance and safety. Unit of Measure: Percent oxygen saturation (%).

Adverse Events and Participant-Reported DiscomfortDuring and immediately after the MRI session (up to 1 hour)

Number and type of adverse events, as well as participant-reported discomfort, occurring during or immediately after each breath-hold condition. Unit of Measure: Number of events.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of California, San Francisco

🇺🇸

San Francisco, California, United States

University of California, San Francisco
🇺🇸San Francisco, California, United States

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