W. Ajaj

Dark lumen magnetic resonance colonography: comparison with conventional colonoscopy for the detection of colorectal pathology

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and usefulness of a new magnetic resonance (MR) colonography technique for the detection of colorectal pathology in comparison with conventional colonoscopy as the standard of reference. Patients and methods: A total of 122 subjects with suspected colorectal disease underwent “dark lumen” MR colonography. A contrast enhanced T1w three dimensional VIBE sequence was collected after rectal administration of water. The presence of colorectal masses and inflammatory lesions were documented. Results were compared with those of a subsequently performed colonoscopy. Results: MR colonography was found to be accurate regarding detection of clinically relevant colonic lesions exceeding 5 mm in size, with sensitivity and specificity values of 93%/100%. Conclusion: Dark lumen MR colonography can be considered as a promising alternative method for the detection of colorectal disease. In addition, it allows assessment of extraluminal organs.

Real time high resolution magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of gastric motility disorders

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients with increased or decreased gastric motility can be differentiated from healthy volunteers by means of real time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients and methods: Ten healthy volunteers, 10 patients with gastroparesis, and 10 patients with functional pylorospasm/peptic pyloric stenosis underwent real time MRI. All patients were examined on two separate days; once prior to therapy and once after adequate therapy. Antral motility was quantified by calculating the gastric motility index. Results: Patients with gastroparesis showed a lower motility index compared with the reference volunteer group while the mean motility index of the patient group with pylorospasm was more than three times higher than that of the reference value of the volunteer group. However, the gastric motility index in the patient group with gastroparesis increased, and in the group with functional pylorospasm/peptic pyloric stenosis it decreased significantly after therapy. Conclusion: Real time MRI is a reliable tool for assessment of gastric motion. Furthermore, differences in gastric motility index in patients with increased or decreased gastric motility could be evaluated and quantified. Due to the non-invasive character of MRI, this imaging modality may be an attractive alternative to conventional invasive diagnostic tools for gastric motility disorders and therapeutic monitoring.