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Feasibility of MRI in the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis: initial results
J T Heverhagen1, N Ishaque, A Zielke
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Philipps University, Baldingerstr., 35033 Marburg, Germany. heverhag@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate MRI as a diagnostic tool in patients with suspected acute sigmoid diverticulitis. Furthermore, we sought to develop an optimal imaging protocol in these patients.
Patients And Methods:
Eleven patients with suspected acute diverticulitis were included in the study. All patients were imaged in a 1.0 T clinical scanner using a body-array coil. Imaging sequences were single-shot TSE, HASTE-, STIR- and TrueFisp- sequence. All were obtained in the frontal plane. The diagnosis was verified by a single experienced investigator, using ultrasound, and overall clinicopathological outcome.
Results:
MRI enabled visualization of signs of an acute diverticulitis in all patients. However, the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis was obtained in 10 patients only. The mean imaging time was 17.5+/-5.5 min. STIR- and TrueFisp-sequences alone displayed all findings, e.g pericolonic exsudation, edema and segmental narrowing, whereas SSTSE and HASTE-sequences showed no additional information. Therefore, it appeared that the imaging protocol could be restricted to STIR- and TrueFisp-sequences.
Conclusion:
MRI is feasible as a fast, accurate and investigator-independent diagnostic tool in patients with suspected acute diverticulitis. To prove its value in comparison to computed tomography or ultrasound, further studies are needed.
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