An evaluation of MRI contrast in the uterus using synthetic imaging

Using a 1.5-T system, we investigated the contrast in MR images of the uterus using a synthetic imaging program that was capable of producing images with TR values of 20 to 10220 ms and TE values of 1 to 511 ms. Synthetic images were calculated from images obtained on six normal women of reproductive age. The synthesized uterine images were essentially indistinguishable from acquired images with the same TR and TE parameters. Cervical and uterine anatomy could be clearly differentiated in synthetic images with a TE = 80 ms when the TR was as low as 100 ms. We conclude that the zonal anatomy of the uterus can be demonstrated using TR values that are much lower than those usually used for demonstrating uterine anatomy.