Rapid multiplanar abdominal survey using MRI with the steady-state free-precession technique.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of steady-state free-precession (SSFP) survey MRI of the abdomen.


METHODS
A total of 375 consecutive outpatients underwent abdominal MRI at 1.5T. Excluding diffuse metastatic disease, 110 patients had at least one other clinically important finding. The SSFP survey included contiguous 5-mm-thick axial, sagittal, and coronal slices (total 90 slices) obtained during a total of 90 seconds of free breathing. Studies were reviewed by two experienced MRI readers independently, randomized, blinded, and at different sittings. The chi-squared test was used to compare SSFP to full MRI for showing clinically important findings. In a subset of 30 patients, confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to compare the accuracy of SSFP and full MRI as predictors of biopsy result.


RESULTS
SSFP detected 87.3% of clinically important findings and 93.3% of malignancies reported on the full MRI, with a 1.5% false-positive rate. Significant association was shown between SSFP and full MRI for clinically important findings (P < 0.0001). Compared to biopsy, accuracy of SSFP was high (85% +/- 12.7%), though not as high as full MRI (93.3% +/- 8.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
SSFP provides a rapid survey of the abdomen, with good sensitivity and few false positives.
Dutka
Michael V
MV
Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. michael.dutka@mail.tju.edu
Bergin
Diane
D
O'Kane
Patrick L
PL
Frangos
Andrea J
AJ
Parker
Laurence
L
Mitchell
Donald G
DG
D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA