Dark lumen MR colonography: can high spatial resolution VIBE imaging improve the detection of colorectal masses?
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the detection of colorectal lesions can be improved using high spatial resolution VIBE imaging.


METHODS
48 patients underwent same-day dark lumen MR colonography (MRC) and conventional colonoscopy (CC) as the standard for the detection of colorectal masses. MRC was performed using contrast-enhanced standard and high spatial resolution T1-weighted 3D VIBE sequences. The findings and the image quality of the standard and high spatial resolution VIBE sequences were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings of both sequences regarding colorectal lesions were compared to those of a subsequently performed colonoscopy.


RESULTS
The high spatial resolution VIBE sequence significantly improved the quantitative image quality (CNR 54.0 vs. 36.8). However, high spatial resolution VIBE imaging did not detect more colorectal lesions than the standard VIBE sequence. In addition, none of the sequences employed was able to detect lesions with a diameter of less than 5 mm (CC 40 lesions). However, 13 colorectal lesions with a diameter of greater than 5 mm were detected by both sequences (CC 15).


CONCLUSIONS
High spatial resolution VIBE imaging did not improve the detection of colorectal masses and MRC fails to detect colorectal lesions with a diameter of less than 5 mm.
Ajaj
W
W
Medical Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf. ajaj@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Rühm
S G
SG
Papanikolaou
N
N
Lauenstein
T C
TC
Gerken
G
G
Goyen
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine