Surface coil FLASH magnetic resonance imaging of the fasting and secretin-stimulated pancreas.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the response of the pancreas to secretin stimulation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using the Siemens 1.0 T Magnetom and a Helmholtz surface coil, single breath FLASH-MRI of the normal fasting pancreas was performed in the prone position, both before and after a 20-minute period after intravenous (IV) bolus injection of secretin (2 cu/kg). T2*-weighted fast low-angle shot sequences (TR = 150 mseconds; TE = 30 mseconds; flip angle = 10 degrees; matrix = 256 X 256; acquisitions = 2) demonstrated an immediate response manifested by a significant distension of the duodenum with fluid secreted by the pancreas, as well as a gradual decline of the pancreas/muscle signal intensity (SI) ratio over time. Twenty minutes after secretin administration, the mean percent decrease of the pancreas/muscle SI ratio in six volunteers was 11.6 +/- 6.4 (1-STD). This is statistically significant (P less than .003) given a mean percent increase of the pancreas/muscle SI ratio of 1.6 +/- 4.8 (1-STD) in five volunteers 20 minutes after bolus injection of saline (control). Although significant duodenal distension is easily demonstrated after secretin administration, the decrease of the relative pancreatic SI over time is visually subtle. Further work is needed to enhance imaging of the physiologic response of the pancreas using even more rapid imaging techniques.
Department of Radiology, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Michigan 48201.
K G
KG
Bis
I G
IG
Jacobs
A P
AP
Zingas
M A
MA
Klein
G A
GA
Kling
D000328:Adult; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012633:Secretin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D012633:Secretin