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MR Hysterosalpingography: Protocol Development and Refinement for Simulating Normal and Abnormal Fallopian Tube Patency-Feasibility Study with a Phantom¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007-2197 (R.E.F., S.M.A.) and Siemens Medical Systems, MR Research and Development, Iselin, NJ (D.T.). From the 1997 RSNA scientific assembly. Received September 3, 1998; revision requested October 23; final revision received March 29, 1999; accepted July 28. S.M.A. supported in part by a grant from Siemens Medical Systems. Address reprint requests to S.M.A. (e-mail: aschers@gunet.georgetown.edu).

PURPOSE: To develop and refine a pulse sequence and protocol for testing the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) hysterosalpingography in a phantom model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A phantom simulating the uterus, fallopian tubes, and surrounding pelvic cavity was constructed. T2-weighted acquisition strategies—breath-hold fast spin-echo, rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE), and half-Fourier RARE—were refined to acquire sequential 70-mm coronal imaging volumes. Contrast agent was injected into the introducing catheter entering the os of the simulated uterus. Interacquisition interval, type of contrast agent (eg, sterile saline solution or water), and quantity of contrast agent (eg, 1–5 mL per acquisition) were varied. Digital image subtraction was used to enhance image quality. Images were qualitatively analyzed and rated good, fair, or poor for temporal resolution, spatial resolution, fallopian tube conspicuity, and free spill conspicuity. Once the technique was refined, the phantom was reconfigured to simulate unilateral and bilateral hydrosalpinx.

RESULTS: The RARE sequence with an 8-second interacquisition interval and a 5-mL interacquisition injection of sterile water produced good images of the simulated fallopian tubes and free spill. Depiction of unilateral and bilateral hydrosalpinx was also reliably demonstrated.

CONCLUSION: This study with a phantom model demonstrates the feasibility of MR hysterosalpingography to depict normal and diseased fallopian tubes.

Index terms: Fallopian tubes, MR, 853.121411, 853.121415, 853.121416 • Fallopian tubes, stenosis or obstruction, 853.2172, 853.2175 • Magnetic resonance (MR), experimental studies, 853.121411, 853.121415, 853.121416 • Magnetic resonance (MR), half-Fourier imaging, 853.121416 • Magnetic resonance (MR), rapid imaging, 853.121416 • Phantoms, 853.121411, 853.121415, 853.121416

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