MR colonography: development of optimized method with ex vivo and in vivo systems

An ex vivo magnetic resonance (MR) colonographic system with a bovine colon with polyps of predetermined dimensions was developed for evaluation and optimization of different combinations of imaging sequences and intraluminal contrast agents. Findings were then applied during in vivo testing in human subjects. The results show that optimized contrast and lesion conspicuity and minimized motion artifacts can be obtained with true fast imaging with steady-state precession combined with water as an intraluminal contrast agent.