[Examination of MR cholangiopancreatography using the fast recovery single shot fast spin echo sequence]

During this project, we evaluated methods to scan MRCP images with overlapping slice positions during one breath-hold using the FRSSFSE sequence. The FRSSFSE sequence is a technique to arbitrarily change the residual transverse magnetization to longitudinal magnetization. With the SSFSE sequence, the imaging field where the slice position overlaps is subject to substantial influence from the saturation effect of the water component. Therefore, one breath-hold is required for each image. However, the FRSSFSE sequence enabled the deterioration in image quality due to the saturation effect to be minimized even during a short TR. This enabled images of overlapping slice positions to be scanned during one breath-hold. We used a setting of TR=5,000 ms at our hospital, and scanned several images with overlapping slice positions during one breath-hold. The TR=5,000 ms setting was determined from image quality and breath-hold time considerations. The use of the FRSSFSE sequence with MRCP enabled 3-4 images to be scanned at overlapping slice positions during one breath-hold. This method is effective in reducing examination time and the burden on the patient.