title: Comparison of contrast-enhanced isotropic 3D-GRE-T1WI sequence versus conventional non-isotropic sequence on preoperative staging of cervical cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare contrast-enhanced isotropic 3D-GRE-T1WI sequence vs. conventional non-isotropic sequence in terms of image quality, estimated signal-to-noise ratio (eSNR), relative tumor contrast and performance of cervical cancer staging.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Seventy-one patients (47 ± 9.4 years), with pathologically-confirmed cervical cancer underwent axial contrast-enhanced 1 mm3 isotropic 3D-GRE-T1WI sequence (herein referred to Isotropy), and 3-mm-thick non-isotropic sagittal and coronal sequences. Image quality score, eSNR and relative contrast between tumor to myometrium, gluteal muscle, and fat respectively, were compared between 3-mm-thick reconstructed images from Isotropy and directly scanned non-isotropic images by paired t-test. Difference in tumor staging obtained from Isotropy and combined Three-planes including reconstructed axial images, directly scanned sagittal and coronal sequence were compared by McNemar test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both sequences showed similar image quality. Reconstructed images demonstrated higher eSNR, equal or lower relative tumor contrast compared with non-isotropic images. Compared with performing diagnosis on Three-planes, both reviewers showed higher accuracy when diagnosing vaginal invasion on Isotropy (p = 0.039 and 0.003, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with non-isotropic sequence, 3.0T MR isotropic 3D-GRE-T1WI sequence exhibited better eSNR, providing more reliable clinical information for preoperative staging of cervical cancer.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors: Xiaoduo
authors: X
authors: Yu
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors: Meng
authors: M
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: Ye
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors: Han
authors: H
authors: Ouyang
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors: Chunwu
authors: C
authors: Zhou
authors: Life Science, GE Healthcare, Beijing, China.
authors: Zihua
authors: Z
authors: Su
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media