Intraindividual comparison of image quality in MR urography at 1.5 and 3 tesla in an animal model.
OBJECTIVE
Experimental evaluation of image quality of the upper urinary tract in MR urography (MRU) at 1.5 and 3 Tesla in a porcine model.


METHODS
In this study four healthy domestic pigs, weighing between 71 and 80 kg (mean 73.6 kg), were examined with a standard T1w 3D-GRE and a high-resolution (HR) T1w 3D-GRE sequence at 1.5 and 3 Tesla. Additionally, at 3 Tesla both sequences were performed with parallel imaging (SENSE factor 2). The MR urographic scans were performed after intravenous injection of gadolinium-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg body weight (bw)) and low-dose furosemide (0.1 mg/kg bw). Image evaluation was performed by two independent radiologists blinded to sequence parameters and field strength. Image analysis included grading of image quality of the segmented collecting system based on a five-point grading scale regarding anatomical depiction and artifacts observed (1: the majority of the segment (>50%) was not depicted or was obscured by major artifacts; 5: the segment was visualized without artifacts and had sharply defined borders). Signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios were determined. Statistical analysis included kappa-statistics, Wilcoxon and paired student t-test.


RESULTS
The mean scores for MR urographies at 1.5 Tesla were 2.83 for the 3D-GRE and 3.48 for the HR3D-GRE sequence. Significantly higher values were determined using the corresponding sequences at 3 Tesla, averaging 3.19 for the 3D-GRE (p = 0.047) and 3.92 for the HR3D-GRE (p = 0,023) sequence. Delineation of the pelvicaliceal system was rated significantly higher at 3 Tesla compared to 1.5 Tesla (3D-GRE: p = 0.015; HR3D-GRE: p = 0.006). At 3 Tesla the mean SNR and CNR were significantly higher (p < 0.05). A kappa of 0.67 indicated good interobserver agreement.


CONCLUSIONS
In an experimental setup, MR urography at 3 Tesla allowed for significantly higher image quality and SNR compared to 1.5 Tesla, particularly for the visualization of the pelvicaliceal system.
Regier
M
M
Klinik und Poliklinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf. mregier@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Nolte-Ernsting
C
C
Adam
G
G
Kemper
J
J
D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005665:Furosemide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D005665:Furosemide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA