Marco Di Girolamo MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Andrea Fregolino, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Isabel Ruggiero, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Valerio Arcangelo Vitale, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ludovica Argnani, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vincenzo David, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To increase the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in the detection and local staging of bladder tumors by using Fluid-attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) sequences.

32 patients with bladder tumors detected by US underwent MRI using 0.5 and 1.5 T superconductive magnet (Philips Medical System). We performed SE T1-weighted (TR: 500ms, TE: 30ms), TSE T2-weighted (TR: 2500 ms, TE: 120ms, ETL: 40) and FLAIR sequences (TR: 6000 ms, TE: 150 ms, TI: 2000 ms, N.Ex.: 4; Acq. time: 7'30") on axial scans. The contrast to lesion ratio was evaluated in all sequences. All the patients underwent cystoscopy with transurethral biopsy and 14 had subsequent cystectomy.

In comparison with other sequences, FLAIR sequence was more sensitive in the detection of bladder neoplasms. This sequence demonstrates the hyperintense signal of bladder neoplasms from the filled bladder lumen with no signal. The sensitivity in the identification of bladder neoplasms was 100% with FLAIR sequences, 89.6% with TSE T2-weighted sequences and 86.2% with SE T1-weighted sequences. That was due to the higer signal to lesion ratio of the FLAIR sequences in comparison with the others. In fact on FLAIR sequences the mean value of contrast to lesion ratio of bladder neoplasm was 33.1 while on SE T1-weighted sequences and TSE T2-weighted sequences was respectively 15.2 and 29.2. FLAIR sequences allowed the detection of small papillomas (less than 2 mm). TSE T2-weighted sequences were more sensitive than other sequences in the study of bladder wall infiltration.

FLAIR sequences were more sensitive than others in the detection of bladder neoplasms, thanks to their higher contast to lesion ratio and can be very helpful in the visualization of small papillomas, especially when multifocal.

FLAIR sequences were more sensitive than others in the detection of bladder neoplasms and can be very helpful in the visualization of small papillomas,

Di Girolamo, M, Fregolino, A, Ruggiero, I, Vitale, V, Argnani, L, David, V, Use of FLAIR Sequences for Detection and Local Staging of Bladder Tumors with MRI.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5009842.html