title: Visualization of swallowing using real-time TrueFISP MR fluoroscopy.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of different real-time true fast imaging with steady precession (TrueFISP) sequences regarding their ability to depict the swallowing process and delineate oropharyngeal pathologies in patients with dysphagia. Real-time TrueFISP visualization of swallowing was performed in 8 volunteers and 6 patients with dysphagia using a 1.5 T scanner (Magnetom Sonata, Siemens, Erlangen Germany) equipped with high-performance gradients (amplitude 40 mT/m). Image quality of four different real-time TrueFISP sequences (TR 2.2-3.0 ms, TE 1.1-1.5 ms, matrix 63 x 128-135 x 256, field of view 250 mm(2), acquisition time per image 139-405 ms) was evaluated. Water, yoghurt, and semolina pudding were assessed as oral contrast agents. Functional exploration of the oropharyngeal apparatus was best possible using the fastest real-time TrueFISP sequence (TR 2.2 ms, TE 1.1 ms, matrix 63 x 128). Increased acquisition time resulted in blurring of anatomical structures. As the image contrast of TrueFISP sequences depends on T2/T1 properties, all tested foodstuff were well suited as oral contrast agents, but image quality was best using semolina pudding. Real-time visualization of swallowing is possible using real-time TrueFISP sequences in conjunction with oral contrast agents. For the functional exploration of swallowing high temporal resolution is more crucial than spatial resolution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. joerg.barkhausen@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barkhausen
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goyen
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: von Winterfeld
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lauenstein
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arweiler-Harbeck
authors.forename: Jörg F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Debatin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media