title: Screening applications for MRI in the detection of upper abdominal disease: comparative study of non-contrast-enhanced single-shot MRI and contrast-enhanced helical CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the value of 'push-button' single-shot non-contrast-enhanced MRI and contrast-enhanced helical CT for detection of upper abdominal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 120 patients, images obtained with non contrast-enhanced single-shot MRI (T2: double echo HASTE, and T1: turbo FLASH) and contrast-enhanced helical CT were compared. Lesions or abnormalities were divided in 8 anatomical categories (1: liver; 2: pancreatobiliary; 3: kidney/adrenal gland; 4: retroperitoneum; 5: vascular; 6: spleen; 7: gastrointestinal tract and peritoneum; 8: base of thorax) and classified as follows: 2: seen at MRI only; 1: better seen at MRI; 0: no difference; -1: better seen at CT; -2: seen at CT only. Also recorded were the 'door-to-door' examination times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of a total of 629 abnormalities, 594 were detected at MRI (94 %) and 536 at CT (85 %). CT offered better results in two categories only: retroperitoneum (mean score: -0.68) and vascular (mean score -0.87). Mean examination times were 19 min for CT and 14.8 min for MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unenhanced single-shot MRI is a valuable first step of a comprehensive upper abdominal MR exam and may even be the final step in many patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, U. Z. Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Jaegere
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Hoe
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Steenbergen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Cutsem
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bosmans
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heindryckx
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loubeyre
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marchal
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media