This report focuses on the optimization of magnetic resonance colonography
for combined virtual endoluminal and TP-weighted wall analysis of the colon
and demonstrates the potential of the single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) s
equence for identifying colorectal pathologies, A 45 degrees flip angle in
the three-dimensional spoiled gradient-echo sequence and a TE of 60 msec in
the SSFSE sequence in conjunction with a 10 mM gadolinium concentration in
the enema results in maximal contrast for the delineation of the colonic l
umen in T1-weighlted imaging and the colonic wall in TB-weighted imaging. T
he SSFSE sequence reveals hyperintense signal for inflammatory disease and
most polyps exceeding 10 mm in size. It supplements the virtual endoluminal
assessment by aiding in the differentiation between mass lesions and fecal
matter or residual air. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.