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Magnetic resonance whole body imaging at 3 Tesla: feasibility and findings in a cohort of asymptomatic medical doctors
Gladys G Lo,
KM Au-Yeung,
Victor Ai,
John KF Chan,
KW Li,
Daisy Chien
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, 2 Village Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the feasibility of whole body imaging using a 3 Tesla
magnetic resonance scanner without a contrast agent, and to
study the prevalence of abnormal findings among a cohort of
asymptomatic doctors.
DESIGN. Prospective study.
SETTING. Private hospital, Hong Kong.
PARTICIPANTS. A total of 132 asymptomatic medical doctors (111 men, 21
women), with a mean age of 56 (range, 38-82) years, volunteered
for the study. They underwent corresponding whole body
imaging at our hospital between October 2005 and February
2006. Imaging involved a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner with
32 channels, parallel imaging, Total Imaging Matrix technology,
a maximum gradient amplitude of 40 mT/m and a slew rate of
200 mT/m/ms (Magnetom Tim Trio, Siemens Medical Solution,
Erlangen, Germany). The use of matrix coils enabled coverage of
the whole body. No contrast agent was used.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Detection of abnormalities in asymptomatic, apparently healthy
adults.
RESULTS. All examinations were completed successfully. The mean scan
time per subject was 33 (standard deviation, 4) minutes. All
subjects tolerated the examination well and overall imaging
quality was satisfactory. A total of 124 (94%) subjects had
positive findings, of whom 24 (18%) had further workup. Five
(4%) subjects were found to have tumours, of which two (1.5%) were
proven malignant. Our cancer detection rate was comparable
to that of other reported whole body screening studies using
contrast magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission
tomography.
CONCLUSION. We demonstrated the feasibility of performing whole body
imaging in 30 minutes, using 32-channel magnetic resonance
imaging at 3 Tesla without a contrast agent or any ionising
radiation.
Hong Kong Med J 2008;14:90-6
Key words: Image interpretation, computed-assisted;
Magnetic resonance imaging; Whole
body imaging
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