Gastrointestinal tract: dynamic MR studies with echo-planar imaging

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility was depicted in four human volunteers with the high-speed echo-planar imaging technique: modulus blipped echo-planar single-pulse technique (MBEST). Data acquisition times of 64 and 128 msec obviate image degradation due to motion without the need for gut paralysis and allow imaging of the GI tract in real time. Peristaltic patterns of the gastric antrum and proximal small intestine were depicted for fasting and fed subjects and subjects in whom peristalsis had been pharmacologically stimulated. The potential for quantitative measurements of GI tract motion with this new technique was demonstrated.