title: T2* relaxometry mapping of the uterine zones.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous literature demonstrated that the T2* value of the uterine junctional zone was lower than that of peripheral myometrium by using BOLD MR imaging. We expect T2* mapping image may add more information to T2-weighted images of the uterine myometrium.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether T2* mapping software would reproduce the result of previous report, and to apply the software to benign uterine diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five healthy volunteers and 19 patients clinically suspected of having benign pelvic disease were imaged using a 1.5T MR system. All women were of reproductive age, and all provided informed consent. Sagittal T2* images using a multishot EPI sequence were obtained. T2* values were calculated and color T2* maps reconstructed using a T2* fitting tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uterine zones could be identified in all 24 examinations on the T2* maps. In addition, a thin "4th zone" was seen between the endometrium and the JZ (junctional zone) in 19 of 24 examinations. The T2* value of JZ was significantly lower than that of peripheral myometrium (PM) (P < 0.001). No significant difference in the T2* value of the JZ or of PM was noted between normal uterus and uterus with leiomyomas and/or adenomyosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A quantitative T2* map can easily be obtained using the PRIDE software T2* fitting tool, and the software reproduces the result from previous report. T2* value of the junctional zone was lower than that of peripheral myometrium regardless of having benign myometrial diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. iizumi@med.kindai.ac.jp
authors.forename: Izumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Imaoka
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakatsuka
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katsube
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Seishi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumano
authors.forename: Kazunari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Ryuichiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ashikaga
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okuaki
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Cauteren
authors.forename: Takamichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murakami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012984:Software; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*