An optimised repetition time (TR) for cine imaging of uterine peristalsis on 3 T MRI.

AIM

To determine the optimal repetition time (TR) of cine imaging for uterine peristalsis on 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-three young female volunteers (age range: 23-28 years, mean: 24.91±1.12 years) underwent 3 T MRI for uterine peristalsis in the periovulatory phase. A midsagittal section of their uteri was scanned using a single-shot fast spin echo sequence with TR of 2 seconds (Cine) and 4 seconds (Cine) for 3 minutes. Subjective image-quality scores, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of these MRI images were evaluated by two radiologists independently. The number, direction, and intensity of uterine peristalsis in the MRI images with two TRs were compared at 15 times the actual speed.

RESULTS

The SNR (263.14±91.54) and CNR (134.30±46.91) in Cine were significantly higher than those in Cine (209.01±96.53, 104.05±50.19; p=0.042, 0.015, respectively); however, no significant differences were found in other objective indexes and subjective image quality score (p>0.05). In addition, the peristaltic number of Cine (7.13±1.58) was significantly higher than that in Cine (5.30±1.06). Cine could identify peristaltic directions more clearly than Cine; however, no significant difference was observed in the intensity of uterine peristalsis between Cine and Cine (p=0.509).

CONCLUSION

At 3 T MRI, the number and direction of endometrium peristalsis could was displayed better using Cine than Cine, with the uncompromised image quality.