Comparing MR Imaging and CT in the Staging of Gastric Carcinoma

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of breath-hold two-dimensional (2D) fast low-angle shot (FLASH) and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo fast MR imaging compared with helical CT in the staging of gastric carcinoma.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Thirty patients with gastric carcinoma underwent pre-operative MR imaging and helical CT. MR imaging at 1.5 T was performed immediately after the intramuscular injection of scopolamine and the oral administration of water or effervescent granules. Breath-hold 2D FLASH T1-weighted images in all three planes, turbo spin-echo T2-weighted axial images, and gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed 2D FLASH axial images were included. Helical CT was performed 60 sec after initiation of IV contrast medium injection (2.5-3 ml/sec). Two groups of two radiologists each independently analyzed the MR and helical CT findings, and these results were compared with the pathologic findings.RESULTS. For T staging, MR imaging accuracy was higher than that of helical CT (73....