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Interactive body magnetic resonance fluoroscopy using modified single-shot half-Fourier rapid acquisition with
Malek Makki1, M J Graves, D J Lomas
1Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke's Hospital, United Kingdom.
Purpose:
To develop a technique for interactive fluoroscopic abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on a single-shot half-Fourier rapid acquisition and relaxation-enhanced sequence.
Materials And Methods:
The sequence was modified by incorporating inner-volume excitation, driven-equilibrium signal enhancement, and reduced flip angle refocusing pulses. Contrast control was provided by integrating "on-the-fly" selection of phase encoding view order, fat suppression, and section thickness. The resulting sequence was evaluated with phantom experiments to quantify the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) effects of the modifications and in healthy volunteers for imaging the bile ducts, stomach, and duodenum using water and gaseous contrast media.
Results:
Observed SNR relating to driven-equilibrium and flip angle scaling matched theoretical predictions. Volunteer examinations demonstrated the ability of the modified sequence to provide interactive, artifact-free imaging of the abdomen, including switching between conventional proton density-weighted, T2-weighted imaging and "hydrographic" projection imaging.
Conclusion:
Refinement of this technique may provide an abdomino-pelvic imaging capability similar in concept to real-time ultrasound, but with the advantages of MRI.