Magnetic resonance portography using contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional steady-state free precession imaging

✍ Scribed by Yasuo Amano; Katsuya Takahama; Atsushi Nozaki; Maki Amano; Tatsuo Kumazaki

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2004
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 208 KB
• Volume: 19
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.10442

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of contrast‐enhanced fat‐saturated three‐dimensional steady‐state free precession (FIESTA) imaging for contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) portography.

Materials and Methods

Contrast‐enhanced fat‐saturated three‐dimensional fast spoiled gradient‐echo (SPGR) and FIESTA were performed as MR portography. In 10 cases, fat‐saturated three‐dimensional FIESTA was first performed and followed by fast SPGR, and the order of post‐contrast imaging was reversed in the other 10 cases. Signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNRs) were estimated for portal and visceral veins on the source images. The visualization of portal vein was scored on three‐dimensional MR portography. Portal venous system disorders were assessed using three‐dimensional MR portography.

Results

The SNRs, CNRs, and visual assessment of portal and visceral veins were significantly higher in contrast‐enhanced fat‐saturated three‐dimensional FIESTA than contrast‐enhanced fat‐saturated three‐dimensional fast SPGR (P < 0.05). The contrast‐enhanced fat‐saturated three‐dimensional FIESTA provided high venous signals even at 8 minutes after gadolinium injection. The abnormalities of portal venous system were well visualized with MR portography using contrast‐enhanced fat‐saturated three‐dimensional FIESTA.

Conclusion

Contrast‐enhanced fat‐saturated three‐dimensional FIESTA was valuable for MR portography, with flexible time window and high vascular signals. This imaging may allow for other post‐contrast imaging options before portography and release patients from consecutive breath‐holds. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;19:238–244. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.