3D MR gastrography: exoscopic and endoscopic analysis of the stomach

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of MR gastrography, b ased on 3D MRI following the oral administration of Gd-DOTA-enriched bluebe rry juice, in order to depict alterations of the gastric wall. The stomachs of three volunteers and three patients were examined on a 1.5-T MR system. Following ingestion of 400 ml of blueberry juice spiked with 2 ml of Gd-DO TA, each subject underwent 3D MR imaging in three positions: 45 degrees lef t lateral decubitus, supine, and 45 degrees right lateral decubitus. In eac h position, a coronal 3D SPGR acquisition consisting of 60 continuous 2-mm slices was acquired over a 35-s breathhold (TR/TE = 4.0/1.8 ms, 40 degrees flip angle , 0.5 excitations, voxel size of 1.25 x 1.66 x 2.00 mm). Multipl anar reformats (MPR), maximum intensity projections (MIP), surface shaded d isplays (SSD), and virtual intraluminal endoscopic views (VIE) were calcula ted. Magnetic resonance gastroscopy was tolerated well by all subjects with out adverse effects, Based on the 3D MRI data sets acquired in various pati ent positions, all regions of the stomach and the proximal duodenum were vi sualized to good advantage. Whereas MPR and MIP provided a morphologic over view, SSD and VIE images permitted analysis of the gastric mucosa.. Normal mucosa could be differentiated from the course and irregular pattern charac terizing carcinomatous infiltration. The 3D SPGR data sets acquired followi ng ingestion of oral Gd-DOTA-spiked blueberry juice permits exoscopic and v irtual endoscopic viewing of the stomach.