Optimized approach to cine MRI of uterine peristalsis

To determine the optimal slice thickness, playback rate, and scan time for uterine peristalsis with 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

In all, 23 young female volunteers underwent a 3.0T MRI scan with different slice thicknesses of 3 mm (Cine_3mm ), 5 mm (Cine_5mm ), and 7 mm (Cine_7mm ) for 6 minutes. Subjective image quality score, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of those MR images were evaluated by two radiologists independently. The number, intensity, and direction of uterine peristalsis with different thickness were compared at various playback rates. Also, the peristalsis frequency was counted and compared in different acquisition durations (1-6 minutes).

The subjective image quality score, peristalsis number, and intensity were significantly higher in Cine_7mm and Cine_5mm than Cine_3mm (P < 0.05), while the SNRs and CNRs of Cine_7mm were significantly higher than Cine_3mm (P < 0.05). Peristalsis numbers did not differ significantly at different playback rates with the same slice thickness (P = 0.548-0.962). However, peristalsis intensity at 12×, and 15× was significantly greater than that at 8× the actual speed for Cine_7mm and Cine_5mm (P < 0.05). The peristalsis frequency at 3, 4, 5, 6 minutes was significantly higher than that at 1 minute and 2 minutes (P < 0.05).

We recommend a slice thickness of 5 mm or 7 mm and a scan time of 3 minutes for uterine peristalsis with 3.0T MRI, and a playback rate of 12× or 15× the actual speed for peristalsis observation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1397-1404.