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Three-dimensional volumetric MRI with isotropic resolution: improved speed of acquisition, spatial resolution and assessment of lesion conspicuity in patients with recurrent soft tissue sarcoma

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Abstract

Background

To assess the acquisition speed, lesion conspicuity, and inter-observer agreement associated with volumetric T1-weighted MR sequences with isotropic resolution for detecting recurrent soft-tissue sarcoma (STS).

Methods

Fifteen subjects with histologically proven recurrent STS underwent MRI, including axial and coronal T1-weighted spin echo (T1-WSE) (5-mm slice thickness) and coronal 3D volumetric T1-weighted (fat-suppressed, volume-interpolated, breath-hold examination; repetition time/echo time, 3.7/1.4 ms; flip angle, 9.5°; 1-mm slice thickness) sequences before and after intravenous contrast administration. Subtraction imaging and multiplanar reformations (MPRs) were performed. Acquisition times for T1-WSE in two planes and 3D sequences were reported. Two radiologists reviewed images for quality (>50 % artifacts, 25–50 % artifacts, <25 % artifacts, and no substantial artifacts), lesion conspicuity, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRmuscle), recurrence size, and recurrence-to-joint distance. Descriptive and intraclass correlation (ICC) statistics are given.

Results

Mean acquisition times were significantly less for 3D imaging compared with 2-plane T1-WSE (183.6 vs 342.6 s; P = 0.012). Image quality was rated as having no substantial artifacts in 13/15 and <25 % artifacts in 2/15. Lesion conspicuity was significantly improved for subtracted versus unsubtracted images (CNRmuscle, 100 ± 138 vs 181 ± 199; P = 0.05). Mean recurrent lesion size was 2.5 cm (range, 0.7–5.7 cm), and measurements on 3D sequences offered excellent interobserver agreement (ICC, 0.98 for lesion size and 0.96 for recurrence-to-joint distance with MPR views).

Conclusion

Three-dimensional volumetric sequences offer faster acquisition times, higher spatial resolution, and MPR capability compared with 2D T1-WSE for postcontrast imaging. Subtraction imaging provides higher lesion conspicuity for detecting recurrent STS in skeletal muscle, with excellent interobserver agreement between readers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Shivani Ahlawat & Laura M. Fayad

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Carol Morris & Laura M. Fayad

  3. Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Carol Morris & Laura M. Fayad

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  1. Shivani Ahlawat
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Correspondence to Shivani Ahlawat.

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Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was waived from all individual participants included in the study because it was a retrospective study of MR imaging performed for clinical purposes.

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Ahlawat, S., Morris, C. & Fayad, L.M. Three-dimensional volumetric MRI with isotropic resolution: improved speed of acquisition, spatial resolution and assessment of lesion conspicuity in patients with recurrent soft tissue sarcoma. Skeletal Radiol 45, 645–652 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-016-2348-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-016-2348-0

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