Magnetic resonance imaging during upper Gl endoscopy: Technical considerations and clinical feasibility

SummaryObjective: To obtain high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) images of the intramural and extramural extent of lesions visualized during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Subjects and methods: Eight patients, four male and four female aged 50 to 77 years (mean 65.6 years), were studied using an endoscope that was specially constructed for use in an MR scanner using non-ferromagnetic components. A 5cm long saddle geometry receiver coil mounted on a DelrinTM former and equal in diameter to the endoscope was reverse threaded through the biopsy channel. The coil and endoscope were then inserted under direct vision into the oesophagus. After routine visual inspection the coil was placed adjacent to the site of pathology. T1-weighted spin-echo images and radiofrequency spoiled gradient-echo images with a segmented k-space acquisition were obtained with ECG gating. Results: In one patient with an oesophageal tumour extensive mediastinal involvement was seen. One patient with reflux oesophagitis showed som...