Related Experiment Videos
Colon diseases: MR evaluation using combined T2-weighted single-shot echo train spin-echo and gadolinium-enhanced
J J Chung1, R C Semelka, D R Martin
1Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7510, USA.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging effectively visualizes large bowel diseases. Fast breath-hold techniques with gadolinium enhancement accurately depict neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Large bowel diseases encompass a range of neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers advanced visualization capabilities for abdominal pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of specific MR imaging sequences in diagnosing large bowel diseases.
- To assess the effectiveness of breath-hold techniques and gadolinium enhancement in characterizing colonic pathologies.
- To correlate MR imaging findings with established diagnostic methods.
Main Methods:
- Utilized breath-hold T2-weighted half-Fourier acquisition snapshot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) and T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo (SGE) sequences.
- Administered intravenous gadolinium contrast with fat-suppression for enhanced T1-weighted SGE imaging.
- Correlated MR findings with surgical, endoscopic, microbiological, and histopathological data in 27 of 29 patients.
Main Results:
- MR imaging successfully depicted primary lesions and local extent in all 15 patients with neoplastic diseases (e.g., colon adenocarcinoma, polyposis).
- Mass lesions were optimally visualized using T2-weighted HASTE and contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted SGE sequences.
- Inflammatory changes in 14 patients with non-neoplastic diseases (e.g., diverticulosis, colitis) were best shown on contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted SGE images.
Conclusions:
- Fast scanning breath-hold MR imaging techniques, particularly with gadolinium enhancement, provide excellent depiction and characterization of large bowel diseases.
- MR imaging is a valuable tool for differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic colonic conditions.
- The combined abdominal-pelvic imaging protocol demonstrates collective experience in diagnosing diverse colonic pathologies.