[The optimization of MR cholangiopancreatography].
OBJECTIVE
To improve the image quality of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) by modification of examination conditions.


METHODS
MRCP of 72 patients was performed with a 1.5 T system (Magnetom Vision, Siemens, 25 mT/m) using two breath-hold techniques, half-fourier acquisition with multislice T2-WI HASTE in MIP technique, and single shot T2-WI turbo-spin-echo (RARE) with different slice thicknesses. The effects of n-butylscopolamine were assessed. Furthermore, oral contrast agents [barium sulfate, Fe(II)-gluconate, Fe(II,III)-oxide] in various concentrations were used. The slice thickness was varied for the RARE sequence (3-7 cm).


RESULTS
N-butylscopolamine had no influence on image quality. Improvements could be attained by variation of the slice thickness. A significant reduction of disturbing background noise was obtained by oral application of iron gluconate, or iron oxide-containing contrast media. Similar improvements were achieved with barium sulfate.


CONCLUSIONS
Variation of slice thickness allows an improvement of MRCP quality. Oral contrast media improve the image quality of MRCP. The expense of contrast media may be a determinant of choice.
Obenauer
S
S
Abt. Röntgendiagnostik I, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. soben@med.uni-goettingen.de
Fischer
U
U
Heuser
M
M
Wilke
R
R
Grabbe
E
E
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005942:Gluconates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015588:Observer Variation; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012833:Siloxanes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003287:Contrast Media; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005942:Gluconates; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010087:Oxides; D012833:Siloxanes; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide; C088769:ferumoxsil; D007501:Iron; C011819:ferrous gluconate; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide