[3D MRI of the colon: methods and initial results].
OBJECTIVE
"Exoscopic" and endoscopic identification of colorectal pathologies via MRI.


METHODS
5 patients (36-88 years), two normal and three with different colorectal pathologies (diverticular disease, polyps and carcinoma of the colon), were examined by MRI after colonoscopy. Subsequent to filling of the colon with a gadolinium-water mixture under MRI-monitoring, 3D-data sets of the colon were acquired in prone and supine positions over a 28 sec breath hold interval. Subsequently multiplanar T1-weighted 2D-sequences were acquired before and following i. v. administration of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg BW). All imaging was performed in the coronal orientation. The 3D-data were interactively analysed based on various displays: maximum intensity projection (MIP), surface shadowed display (SSD), multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), virtual colonoscopy (VC).


RESULTS
All of the colorectal pathologies could be interactively diagnosed by MPR. On MIP images some pathologies were missed. VC presented the morphology of colon haustra as well as of all endoluminally growing lesions in a manner similar to endoscopy. The colon masses showed uptake of contrast media and could thus be differentiated from air or faeces.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential of CMRI in colorectal diagnosis warrants further investigation in a larger series of patients.
Luboldt
W
W
MRI-Zentrum, Departement Diagnostische Radiologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
Bauerfeind
P
P
Pelkonen
P
P
Steiner
P
P
Krestin
G P
GP
Debatin
J F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000175:diagnosis; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA