Open Access<p>Improving the Detection of Cholangiocarcinoma: In vitro MRI-Based Study Using Local Coils and T2 Mapping</p>
Author(s) -
Narong Khuntikeo,
Attapol Titapun,
Nittaya Chamadol,
Wuttisak Boonphongsathien,
Prakasit Sa-Ngiamwibool,
Simon D Taylor-Robinson,
Chris Wadsworth,
Shuo Zhang,
Evdokia M. Kardoulaki,
I. R. Young,
R.R.A. Syms
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
hepatic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1179-1535
DOI - 10.2147/hmer.s232392
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , general surgery , nuclear medicine , radiology
Aim Cholangiocarcinoma is endemic in southeast Asia, generally developing from liver fluke infestation. However, diagnostic imaging of early-stage disease is challenging. The aim of this work is to investigate relaxometry (specifically, T2 mapping) as a method of exploiting the higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of internal coils for improved reception of magnetic resonance signals, despite their non-uniform sensitivity. Methods Ex vivo T2 mapping was carried out at 3T on fixed resection specimens from Thai cholangiocarcinoma patients using an mGRASE sequence and an endoscope coil based on a thin-film magneto-inductive waveguide and designed ultimately for internal use. Results Disease-induced changes including granulomatous inflammation, intraepithelial neoplasia and intraductal tumours were correlated with histopathology, and relaxation data were compared with mono- and bi-exponential models of T2 relaxation. An approximately 10-fold local advantage in SNR compared to a 16-element torso coil was demonstrated using the endoscope coil, and improved tissue differentiation was obtained without contrast agents. Conclusion The performance advantage above follows directly from the inverse relation between the component of the standard deviation of T2 due to thermal noise and the SNR, and offers an effective method of exploiting the SNR advantage of internal coils. No correction is required, avoiding the need for tracking, relaxing constraints on coil and slice orientation and providing rapid visualization.