Free Breathing Dynamic Contrast MR Imaging of the Pancreas Using Navigator Technique

Takayuki Masui¹, Motoyuki Katayama¹, Masayoshi Sugimura¹, Yuji Iwadate², Kimihiko Sato¹, Kazuma Terauchi¹, Kei Tsukamoto¹, Kenichi Mizuki¹, Mayumi Matsushima¹, Koji Yoneyama¹, Takayuki Suzuki¹, Mitsuharu Miyoshi², Naoyuki Takei², Hiroyuki Kabasawa², Keiko Mabuchi¹

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast study during free-breathing in combined use of navigator technique for the evaluation of the pancreatic lesions. In all the patients, dynamic contrast MR imaging of the pancreas could be successfully obtained under free-breathing with acceptable image quality and lesion recognitions. This technique is useful for the elderly people or unconscious patients who cannot hold their breaths. We may further need to improve temporal resolution for each phase of dynamic study to cover lager areas of interest and to characterize solid lesions in the pancreas and other organs.