Perfusion-weighted MR imaging in the upper abdomen: preliminary clinical experience in 61 patients.
OBJECTIVE
We quantitatively analyzed the potential usefulness of perfusion-weighted (PW) MR imaging of the upper abdomen performed with a single-shot gradient-recalled echo echoplanar (GRE EP) sequence.


METHODS
PW imaging of the upper abdomen with a GRE EP sequence was performed in 61 patients who had suspected liver or pancreatic disease. PW imaging was started at the time of administration of 0.1 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine, and images were obtained every 2 sec for 88 sec. Time-intensity curves for the liver, pancreas, spleen, and kidney, and for subgroups of patients with various pathologic conditions, were constructed for quantitative analysis.


RESULTS
The signal-intensity changes seen throughout the PW imaging process differed for each abdominal organ and pathologic condition. In the spleen, pancreas, and renal cortex, a transient signal-intensity decrease was seen in the perfusion phase (42%, 39%, and 78%, respectively). In the liver and renal medulla, the maximum signal-intensity decrease occurred in the later phase rather than in the perfusion phase. Signal-intensity recovery in the spleen and pancreas occurred soon after the maximum signal-intensity decrease, whereas such recovery was delayed in the liver and renal cortex. In cirrhotic livers, the signal-intensity change seen throughout the examination was minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike conventional MR imaging, PW imaging with a GRE EP sequence can provide detailed hemodynamic information about upper abdomen organs and about disorders of these organs because of its excellent temporal resolution and susceptibility to contrast enhancement.
Ichikawa
T
T
Department of Radiology, Yamanashi Medical University, Japan.
Haradome
H
H
Hachiya
J
J
Nitatori
T
T
Araki
T
T
D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA