Magnetic resonance portography using contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional steady-state free precession imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional steady-state free precession (FIESTA) imaging for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) portography.


METHODS
Contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo (SPGR) and FIESTA were performed as MR portography. In 10 cases, fat-saturated three-dimensional FIESTA was first performed and followed by fast SPGR, and the order of post-contrast imaging was reversed in the other 10 cases. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were estimated for portal and visceral veins on the source images. The visualization of portal vein was scored on three-dimensional MR portography. Portal venous system disorders were assessed using three-dimensional MR portography.


RESULTS
The SNRs, CNRs, and visual assessment of portal and visceral veins were significantly higher in contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional FIESTA than contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional fast SPGR (P < 0.05). The contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional FIESTA provided high venous signals even at 8 minutes after gadolinium injection. The abnormalities of portal venous system were well visualized with MR portography using contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional FIESTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced fat-saturated three-dimensional FIESTA was valuable for MR portography, with flexible time window and high vascular signals. This imaging may allow for other post-contrast imaging options before portography and release patients from consecutive breath-holds.
Amano
Yasuo
Y
Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. ya-amano@nms.ac.jp
Takahama
Katsuya
K
Nozaki
Atsushi
A
Amano
Maki
M
Kumazaki
Tatsuo
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011172:Portography; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium