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Normal T1 relaxometry and extracellular volume of the pancreas in subjects with no pancreas disease: correlation with age and gender

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Abdominal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Determine normal T1 and extracellular volume (ECV) of the pancreas in subjects with no pancreas disease and correlate with age and gender.

Subjects and methods

We imaged 120 healthy subjects (age range 20–78 years) who are on annual screening with MRI/MRCP for the possibility of pancreatic cancer. Subjects had a predisposition to develop pancreatic cancer, but no history of pancreas disease or acute symptoms. Equal number (n = 60) of subjects were scanned on either 1.5 T or 3 T scanner using dual flip angle spoiled gradient echo technique incorporating fat suppression and correction for B1 field inhomogeneity. Optimization of imaging parameters was performed using a T1 phantom. ECV was calculated using pre- and post-contrast T1 of the pancreas and plasma. Regression analysis and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Median T1 on 1.5 T was 654 ms (IQR 608–700); median T1 on 3 T was 717 ms (IQR 582–850); median ECV on 1.5 T was 0.28 (IQR 0.21–0.33), and median ECV on 3 T was 0.25 (IQR 0.19–0.28). Age had a mild positive correlation with T1 (r = 0.24, p = 0.009), but not with ECV (r = 0.06, p = 0.54). T1 and ECV were similar in both genders (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study measured the median T1 and ECV of the pancreas in subjects with no pancreas disease. Pancreas shows longer T1 relaxation times in older population, whereas extracellular fraction remains unchanged. Median T1 values were different between two magnet strengths; however, no difference was seen between genders and ECV fractions.

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Abbreviations

ECV:

Extracellular volume

MRCP:

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

3D:

Three-dimensional

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Funding

Dr. Tirkes is supported by National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers 1R01DK116963 and U01DK108323 (Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Li is supported by National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers U01DK108323 and 1R01DK116963. Dr. Li also receives support from MD Anderson Cancer Center under grant number P30CA016672.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, 550 N. University Blvd. Suite 0663, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Temel Tirkes & Jacob R. Mitchell

  2. Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1411, FCT4.6008, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Liang Li

  3. Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2 E124G, 950 W Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Xuandong Zhao

  4. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA

    Chen Lin

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  1. Temel Tirkes
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Correspondence to Temel Tirkes.

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Tirkes, T., Mitchell, J.R., Li, L. et al. Normal T1 relaxometry and extracellular volume of the pancreas in subjects with no pancreas disease: correlation with age and gender. Abdom Radiol 44, 3133–3138 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-019-02071-7

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