Evaluation of utility of MR T2-weighted images using multishot echoplanar imaging of female pelvis. Comparison with fat-suppressed fast spin echo

The purpose of this study was to apply multishot echoplanar imaging (EPI) to the female pelvis and to compare the results with respiratory triggered fast spin echo with fat-suppression (fFSE). Twenty-seven patients with pelvic disease were examined. EPI images were obtained using 8 shots with breath-holding (bhEPI) and 16 shots without breath-holding (bEPI), while the FSE sequence was fat-suppressed respiratory-triggered FSE. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and contrast to uterus or ovary (Contrast) were compared between EPI and FSE images. Identification of uterus, ovary, and tumors was carried out simultaneously. In SNR, CNR, and Contrast, EPI could not provide image quality superior to that of fFSE. Moreover, on EPI images, identification of uterus, ovary, and tumors was judged to be inferior or equal. In conclusion, multishot EPI cannot replace fFSE sequences in imaging of the female pelvis. However, because EPI has heavily T2-weighted contrast, the EPI sequence can be a valuable adjunct to routine examination. (author)