MRI of the small and large bowel

Driven by the improvements in gradient technology, breathhold T1- and T2-we ighted imaging; of the abdominal structures has become possible. These tech niques allow exploitation of the advantages inherent to the MR imaging expe riment: unsurpassed soft tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging capabiliti es. Magnetic resonance imaging of the small and large bowel has thus moved from a hypothetical possibility to a practical reality. This manuscript des cribes some of the underlying fast imaging techniques for display of the sm all and large bowel. Furthermore, it discusses the plethora of available or al and rectal contrast agents. Finally, clinical indications for MR of the small and large bowel as well as the rectum are decribed in light of the av ailable literature. Advantages and disadvantages relative to computed tomog raphy and othe imaging techniques are discussed.