Screening of colonic tumors by air-inflated magnetic resonance (MR) colonography.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of air-inflated magnetic resonance (MR) colonography for the detection of colonic lesions.


METHODS
A total of 36 patients underwent both colonoscopy and air-inflated MR colonography. Breath-hold sequences (volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) coronal, and half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) axial and coronal, both supine and prone) were performed with a 1.5T scanner. The detection of colonic lesions by MR colonography was then correlated with the findings from the colonoscopy performed on the same day.


RESULTS
Two patients were unable to complete the MR colonography examination. Analysis was based on the results from 34 patients (17 males and 17 females, 38-70 years old, mean age = 54.9 years) who completed both examinations. MR colonography depicted two of two colonic tumors, one of one P4 (> 2 cm) polyp, one of two P2 (0.5-1 cm) polyps, and two of 11 P1 (< 0.5 cm) polyps. False-positive MR colonography interpretations were noted for one P1 polyp and two P2 polyps. The overall sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of MR colonography were 38%, 67%, and 46.2%, respectively. For the detection of endoluminal lesions > 5 mm, air-inflated MR colonography yielded a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 93.3%, accuracy of 91.2%, positive predictive value of 60%, and negative predictive value of 96.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Air-inflated MR colonography is a new technique that deserves further investigation.
Lam
Wynnie W M
WW
Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. wynnie@cuhk.edu.hk
Leung
Wai K
WK
Wu
Justin K L
JK
So
Nina M C
NM
Sung
Joseph J Y
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007327:Insufflation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity