J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  1997 Dec;1(1):130-134.

Dynamic MR Imaging in gastric Cancer: Comparison Between Precontrast and Postcontrast Images

• Hong SH
• Han JK
• Kim TK
• Chang KH
• Choi BI

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze contrast-enhancement pattern of stomach cancer on dynamic MRI and to verify the efficacy of intravenous contrast agent in the evaluation of stomach cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twelve patients with proven stomach cancer underwent dynamic MRI, By using 1.0T scanner, we obtained precontrast FLASH images, and 30, 60, 90 second delay FLASH images after intravenous contrast injection. All patients ingested on liter of water and had intramuscluar injection of Buscopan just before MR study. For quantitative analysis we measured signal to noise ratio (S/N) of stomach cancer on each image, and signal difference to noise ratio (SD/N) between cancer and intraluminal fluid, cancer and the pancreas. For qualitative analysis two radiologists evaluated lesion conspicuity on each image by grading system(grade 0, 1, 2, 3: poor, fair, good, excellent).
RESULTS
S/N of stomach cancer increased gradually by time(precontrast, 30, 60, 90 second delay:38.7, 42.5, 57.4, 65.7). SD/N between cancer and intraluminal fluid significantly increased after contrast enhancement(1.24, 25.01, 39.30, 45.89). SD/Ns between cancer and the pancreas were 10.5, 9.33, 9.99, 10.66 respectively. In qualitative analysis, precontrast images were better than postcontrast images for delineation of stomach cancer, Postcontrast images showed clear endo-luminal side of stomach cancer, but outer margin of stomach cancer was more distinct on precontrast images.
CONCLUSION
Precontrast MR images are better than postcontrast MR images in the depiction of stomach cancer. Intravenous contrast agent is not imperative in the evaluation of stomach cancer.

MeSH Terms

Butylscopolammonium Bromide
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Noise
Pancreas
Signal-To-Noise Ratio
Stomach Neoplasms*
Water
Butylscopolammonium Bromide
Water