title: Visualization of the normal appendix with MR enterography in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may provide a radiation-sparing alternative to CT in diagnosing appendicitis in children in whom US is equivocal. However, comparability with CT in the detection of the appendix remains to be established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the detection rate of the normal appendix in children on oral and IV contrast-enhanced MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  MR imaging of 58 patients who had previously undergone MR enterography was retrospectively reviewed. Detection rate, body mass index, age and gender were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The normal appendix was detected in 28 cases (48%), with greatest detection rate on the axial fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) sequence. Children in whom the appendix was detected had significantly higher BMI compared to children in whom the appendix was not seen. Neither age nor gender demonstrated a significant association with detection rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The detection rate of the normal appendix in children on oral and IV contrast-enhanced MRI was 48%, which is comparable to detection rates on CT, as well as to previously reported detection rates on MR imaging with neither oral nor IV contrast agents. These findings may serve to guide the development of MRI protocols for pediatric appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 E 68th St, Rm F631E, New York, NY 10065, USA. ark2011@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kovanlikaya
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
authors.forename: Madhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazumdar
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dunning
authors.forename: Paula W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Brill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001065:Appendix / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA