title: Phase-contrast imaging of the parotid region.
abstract: Standard T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo acquisitions were compared with T1- and T2-weighted phase-contrast techniques in a series of 10 consecutive patients with parotid masses to assess the role of phase-contrast methods in the evaluation of lesions in the parotid fossa. Greater tissue-lesion contrast was obtained with phase-contrast methods in nine of 10 cases, allowing improved lesion visualization; however, an increase in lesion detectability was not observed in this series. Standard MR imaging methods are sufficient for imaging the parotid region in most cases, but can be quite time-consuming. Recommended screening of the parotid fossa that optimizes tissue-lesion contrast, lesion detectability, and imaging time is performed by combining a standard T1-weighted acquisition with a T1- or T2-weighted phase-contrast acquisition. Selection of a T1- or T2-weighted phase-contrast acquisition is determined by the T1 characteristics of the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mikulis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chisin
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Wismer
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Buxton
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis