Small-bowel dislocation during long-term MRI observation - insights in intestinal physiology

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging
• Radiology

Background:

• Abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders.
• Small-bowel motility analysis via MRI offers functional insights beyond morphology.
• Motility disorders are linked to intestinal inflammation, highlighting the need for accurate assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify three-dimensional (3D) small-bowel loop displacement during abdominal MRI in the prone position.
• To evaluate the potential impact of this displacement on small-bowel motility analyses.
• To determine if prone positioning affects the reliability of 2D coronal plane motility assessments.

Main Methods:

• Abdominal MRI examinations were performed with patients in the prone position.
• Three-dimensional (3D) dislocation of small-bowel loops was quantified.
• Displacement was analyzed in craniocaudal, lateral, and ventrodorsal orientations.

Main Results:

• Segmental small-bowel displacement was observed in the prone position.
• Displacement primarily occurred in the craniocaudal direction.
• The amplitudes of displacement were generally small.

Conclusions:

• Observed small-bowel displacement in prone MRI is minimal.
• These small displacement amplitudes are unlikely to significantly affect 2D coronal plane motility analyses.
• Current 2D coronal plane motility assessments in MRI are likely reliable despite prone positioning.