Magnetic resonance-fluoroscopy as long-term follow-up examination in patients with narrow gastric tube reconstruction after radical esophagectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functionality and morphology of neo-esophagus in subjects who underwent narrow gastric tube (NGT) reconstruction after total esophagectomy using magnetic resonance (MR)-fluoroscopy with Turbo-FLASH sequences acquired during positive oral contrast agent administration.


METHODS
Ten patients, who underwent NGT reconstruction after total esophagectomy between 2002 and 2004, were studied using a 1.5 T magnet (Magnetom Avanto: Siemens, Erlangen, Germany, featuring total imaging matrix-TIM technology), equipped with surface phased-array and integrated spine coils. Imaging protocol included TRUFI and Turbo-FLASH sequences (TR=600 ms; TE=1.3 ms; Flip Angle 8 degrees ; Thickness 20 mm; FoV 350; Matrix 128 x 256; N. acquisition 120; TA=50 s) acquired on sagittal and axial planes to achieve motility evaluation during oral administration of positive contrast agent (yoghurt+Gd-DTPA 0.5M, 1:100 boluses).


RESULTS
Good quality images were obtained in all patients, with adequate lumen contrast and a frame rate of 2.5 frames per second (fps). Three patients had completely re-established motility of NGT; six patients had mild to moderate alterations including raised transit time, reflux and contrast agent stasis; one patient had severe alterations with grossly dilated NGT, severe reflux and stasis.


CONCLUSIONS
MR-fluoroscopy approach represents a promising radiation-free modality in the evaluation of functionality and morphology of NGT. Further investigation in the evaluation of post-surgery patients is necessary.
Panebianco
Valeria
V
Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Università di Roma 'La Sapienza', Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161-Rome, Italy. valeria.panebianco@uniroma1.it
Francioni
Federico
F
Anzidei
Michele
M
Anile
Marco
M
Rolla
Matilde
M
Passariello
Roberto
R
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010779:Photofluorography / Q000379:methods; D013270:Stomach / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014741:Video Recording
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA