Abstract
We compared the ability of MRI and CT to detect and characterize abdominal visceral injury. Seven patients with contrast-enhanced abdominal CT interpreted as showing definite (five patients) or possible (two) solid organ injury following blunt abdominal trauma were referred for abdominal MRI with a mean interval of 3 days between modalities. Tl-weighted and T2-weighted spin echo sequences were obtained in all patients. Gradient-recalled echo (GRE) sequences (22-25/12-13/60° flip angle) were obtained in five cases. Both CT and MR allowed detection of complex splenic lacerations in two patients and complex hepatic injuries in three other patients. A sixth patient had subtle periportal hypodensity noted on CT which was not detected prospectively on MRI. One patient had a right adrenal hematoma detected on MRI but not on CT. Relative lesion conspicuity and extent were judged equal on CT and T2- weighted imaging. The Tl-weighted and GRE imaging were judged inferior to CT. We conclude that MRI offers no significant advantage over CT for the routine evaluation of acute abdominal trauma.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 410-413 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1993 |
Keywords
- Computed tomography
- Liver
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Spleen
- Wounds and injuries
- Wounds and injuries
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging