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KMID : 0880420190200030429
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Korean Journal of Radiology
2019 Volume.20 No. 3 p.429 ~ p.437
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MRI T2-Weighted Imaging and Fat-Suppressed T2-Weighted Imaging Image Fusion Technology Improves Image Discriminability for the Evaluation of Anal Fistulas
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Feng Shi-Ting
Huang Mengqi
Dong Zhi
Xu Ling
Li Yin
Jia Yingmei
Cai Huasong
Shen Bingqi
Li Zi-Ping
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Abstract
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Objective: To explore whether MRI fusion technology (combined T2-weighted imaging [T2WI] and fat-suppressed T2WI [T2WI-FS]) improves signal differences between anal fistulas and surrounding structures.
Materials and Methods: A total of 32 patients with confirmed diagnoses of anal fistula were retrospectively studied. All available T2WI and T2WI-FS images for each patient were used to generate fusion image (T2WI-Fusion) based on the addition of gray values obtained from each pixel via an MR post-processing work station. The discriminability of fistula, perianal sphincter, and perianal fat in T2WI, T2WI-FS, and T2WI-Fusion images was quantified with Fisher's scoring algorithm. For subjective visual image assessment by researchers, five-point scale scores were determined using a modified double-stimulus continuous quality-scale test to evaluate T2WI-FS, T2WI, enhanced axial three-dimensional-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE), and T2WI-Fusion sequence images. The differences were subsequently compared.
Results: Mean Fisher scores for fistulas vs. sphincters obtained from T2WI-Fusion (FFusion-fistula = 6.56) were significantly higher than those from T2WI (FT2WI-fistula = 3.35) (p = 0.001). Mean Fisher scores for sphincters vs. fat from T2WI-Fusion (FFusion-sphincter = 10.84) were significantly higher than those from T2WI-FS (FSFS-sphincter = 2.57) (p = 0.001). In human assessment, T2WI-Fusion showed the same fistula discriminability as T2WI-FS, and better sphincter discriminability than T2WI. Overall, T2WI-Fusion showed better discriminability than T2WI, T2WI-FS, and enhanced 3D-VIBE images.
Conclusion: T2WI and T2WI-FS fusion technology improves signal differences between anal fistulas and surrounding structures, and may facilitate better evaluation of anal fistulas and sphincters.
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KEYWORD
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Anal canal, Magnetic resonance imaging, Fusion technique, Fistula
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