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Isotropic 3D T2-weighted MR cholangiopancreatography with parallel imaging: feasibility study
Jingbo Zhang1, Gary M Israel, Elizabeth M Hecht
1Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., Rm. C278, New York, NY 10021, USA. zhangj12@mskcc.org
Objective:
The aim of this study was to compare the quality of images obtained with fast 3D T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) sequences and 1-mm isotropic voxels with the quality of conventional 2D MRCP images.
Subjects And Methods:
Thirty consecutively registered patients (14 women, 16 men; average age, 60.2 years; age range, 32-87 years) underwent imaging at 1.5 T with a 6-element body array coil. All imaging was performed with three MRCP techniques: free-breathing 3D T2-weighted TSE (TR/TE, 1,300/680; flip angle, 180 degrees; field of view, 250-300 mm; matrix size, 256 x 256; slice thickness, 1 mm; parallel acquisition technique factor, 2); breath-hold 3D T2-weighted TSE (same parameters as the free-breathing 3D technique); breath-hold coronal and oblique coronal thick-slab 2D TSE without parallel acquisition technique (2,800/1,100; flip angle, 150-180 degrees). Quantitative measures of image signal and contrast were evaluated by analysis of variance and paired Student's t tests. A 5-point scale (1, nondiagnostic, to 5, high diagnostic confidence) was used to compare the 3D and 2D data sets for image quality and definition of biliary and pancreatic ductal anatomic features. Friedman's nonparametric and Wilcoxon's rank sum tests were performed for statistical analysis of the qualitative assessments.
Results:
Quantitative results showed free-breathing and breath-hold 3D TSE images had significantly higher relative signal intensity and contrast than 2D TSE images (p < 0.0001). The qualitative findings showed that both free-breathing and breath-hold 3D TSE techniques gave better delineation of biliary anatomy (p < 0.0001) than the 2D technique. The overall quality of 3D images was better than that of 2D images, and 3D imaging was better at depicting pancreatic ducts, although the difference did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion:
Three-dimensional volumetric MRCP images are of superior quality and give better delineation of pancreaticobiliary anatomy than conventional 2D images and have the added advantage of multiplanar and postprocessing capabilities.
Insights
Fast 3D MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) provides superior image quality and better delineation of pancreaticobiliary anatomy compared to conventional 2D MRCP techniques. This advanced imaging offers multiplanar capabilities for improved diagnostic confidence.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Conventional 2D MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has limitations in image quality and anatomical detail.
- Advancements in 3D imaging techniques offer potential improvements for MRCP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the image quality of fast 3D T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) MRCP sequences with 1-mm isotropic voxels against conventional 2D MRCP images.
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of 3D MRCP in depicting biliary and pancreatic ductal anatomy.
Main Methods:
- Thirty patients underwent 1.5 T MRCP using free-breathing 3D TSE, breath-hold 3D TSE, and breath-hold 2D TSE techniques.
- Quantitative analysis of signal and contrast, alongside qualitative assessment of image quality and anatomical delineation using a 5-point scale.
Main Results:
- Both free-breathing and breath-hold 3D TSE MRCP demonstrated significantly higher signal intensity and contrast compared to 2D TSE (p < 0.0001).
- 3D MRCP techniques provided significantly better delineation of biliary anatomy (p < 0.0001) and superior visualization of pancreatic ducts compared to 2D MRCP.
Conclusions:
- Three-dimensional volumetric MRCP images offer superior quality and enhanced delineation of pancreaticobiliary anatomy over conventional 2D images.
- 3D MRCP provides the added advantages of multiplanar visualization and postprocessing capabilities, improving diagnostic utility.
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