MR colonoscopy at 3.0 T: comparison with 1.5 T in vivo and a colon model.
OBJECTIVE
Retrospectively, magnetic resonance (MR) colonography images obtained from a colon model and in routine examinations of patients screened for polyps were compared in terms of whether, and to what degree, image quality improved at a higher field strength of 3.0 T compared to 1.5 T.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-eight MR colonography images from 40 patients, of whom 20 had each been scanned at 1.5 and 3.0 T, respectively, using a four-element phased-array torso coil, were compared. At both field strengths, imaging included T1-weighted fat-suppressed spoiled gradient-echo (T1-fs-GE), T2/T1-weighted fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA), and T2-weighted single-shot fast spin-echo (T2-SSFSE), with breath-hold technique. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis performed by seven readers, the three types of images from the colon model and from 20 patients each at 1.5 and 3.0 T were compared. While a time window of 20 s was allowed for picture assessment in a chance-generated succession of images on a monitor, image quality was rated with a score of 1-5 (1=very good; 5=very bad). Statistical significance was calculated with Mann-Whitney U test.


RESULTS
At both field strengths, T2-SSFSE images received the best ratings, followed by FIESTA images (P=.001). Although, overall, the 3.0-T images obtained scores worse than those of the 1.5-T images, a better detection of phantom polyps was noted in the colon model (P=.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Although MR colonography with the breath-hold technique using the same four-element phased-array coil at 3.0 and 1.5 T does not perform better at a higher field strength in general, an improved detection of small polyps may be obtained.
Röttgen
Rainer
R
Klinik für Strahlenheilkunde, Campus Virchow, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. rainer.roettgen@charite.de
Herzog
Harry
H
Bogen
Paul
P
Freund
Thorsten
T
Felix
Roland
R
Bruhn
Harald
H
D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity