To confirm appropriate parameters of variable refocusing flip angle (RFA) fast spin echo (3D-Cube) of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) imaging using inhouse phantom data and an efficacy applied to healthy volunteers. To evaluate MRCP imaging 3D-Cube compared with the conventional 3D-Fast Recovery Fast Spin Echo (FRFSE) of the gallbladder (GB), intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD), common bile duct (CBD) and pancreatic duct among patients with appropriate parameters based on phantom and volunteers data.

MRCP contributes to evaluate the biliopancreatic system, acute or chronic pancreatitis and cystic tumors of the pancreas at many institutions [1] (Fig.1). The 3D-FSE sequence can produce high spatial resolution of MRCP images. Thin slice thickness with gapless enables to demonstrate precise images such as small stones of the biliary system, secondary branching of the main pancreatic duct and IHBD [2] (Fig.1). An alternative method of producing 3D-MRCP images is to use FSE sequence with a 90° flip-back pulse that is called FRFSE. This sequence...

MRI, agreement of volunteers and patients, major parameters and evaluation MRI was performed on a 1.5T scanner with eight-channel torso phased array coil. All volunteers approved MRCP scan and agreed to drink 100cc of Manganese Chloride Tetrahydrate (MCT) to reduce signal intensity of GI tract overlying biliary and pancreatic images after our explanation of this purpose. Under approved our local institutional board, all patients also agreed with 3D-Cube MRCP scan in addition to the routine MRCP scan including usage MCT and presented written informed consent...

Selecting appropriate parameters of 3D-Cube is possible to improve contrast ratio of bile duct, pancreatic duct, hepatic and pancreatic cyst due to diminish or suppress the signal intensity of the surrounding tissue compared with conventional 3D-FRFSE. In relation to reduce blurring effects, 3D-Cube enables to provide much clearer and higher quality volumetric images than 3D-FRFSE so that is helpful to evaluate MRCP images precisely.

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