The usefulness of dynamically balanced FFE WATS-MR imaging with kinematic display for studying pediatric gastrointestinal disease

Abnormalities in gastrointestinal movement underlie various symptoms in the pediatric population. Although fluoroscopic, manometry, and ultrasonography remain important tools for studying gastrointestinal movement, none can depict the whole gastro-intestine full-size without radiation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether kinematic water selective excitation MR imaging (WATS-MR cine) could reveal gastrointestinal movement in childhood. Thirty-six patients (age: 3 to 17 years; 15 male and 22 female) underwent dynamically balanced first field echo (FFE) imaging with a thick slice of water selective excitation without breath hold. The WATS-MR cine was taken at three different times (preprandial, immediately postprandial, and 30-min postprandial) for sequential 5 min. Images were displayed in a cine mode at 10 times the normal speed, and the motion of water in each organ was evaluated. Movement of the stomach, small intestine, and colon could be observed together in a field. This study made it possible to evaluate both preprandial and postprandial gastrointestinal water movement. WATS-MR cine is useful for visualizing gastrointestinal water movement in accessible children older than 6 years without sedation. A cine mode at 10 times the normal speed provided characteristic images reflecting gastrointestinal water movement abnormalities in pediatric patients.