Marc Zins, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Isabelle Boulay-Coletta MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marie-Christine Jullès MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Erick Petit MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mathieu Rodallec MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Veronique Marteau, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

1) To illustrate the many advantages of LAVA, a new 3D T1 weighted sequence with Fat Suppression, in liver, pancreas and biliary tract imaging. 2) To demonstrate the benefit of LAVA for the depiction and the characterization of small liver and pancreatic lesions.

Purpose: To discuss and illustrate the role of LAVA, a new 3D T1 weighted sequence with Fat Suppression, in liver, pancreas and biliary tract imaging. Methods and materials: Pictorial essay based on a consecutive series of 180 patients referred for MR assessment of liver, biliary or pancreatic disease. Results: The main advantages of LAVA as compared with former 3D MR sequences are : a) significant improvement in spatial resolution, b) a high robustness of the image quality without alteration of the signal to noise ratio, c) the use of thin slices allowing for multiplanar reformations and d) excellent quality of vascular reformations. In our clinical practice, LAVA is particularly recommended for the depiction and the characterization of small liver lesions. Conclusion: LAVA sequence is now part of all our MR protocols for assessment of liver, pancreatic or biliary tract disease. LAVA sequence makes the competition for spatial resolution between MRI and MDCT, become a new reality.

Zins, M, Boulay-Coletta, I, Jullès, M, Petit, E, Rodallec, M, Marteau, V, LAVA: A Major Improvement in Abdominal MRI.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4412502.html