Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the elimination of the high signals in gastrointestinal tract by using ferric ammonium citrate(FAC) with appropriate time of inversion recovery(TI) in performing 3D-MRU. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients were involved in this study. 3D-MRU imaging were performed in all patients both before and after oral FAC administration. Image assessment was based on the extent to which the gastrointestinal signals were eliminated(contrast effect) and to which the image quality was improved(image effect). Results: After administration, the signal intensity of intestines around left renal hilum decreased from primary 1.10±1.22 to 0.62±0.39, while the signal intensity of intestines around right renal hilum was 0.57±0.32 comparing with 1.28±0.96 before FAC administration. The signal intensity of intestines around right(P<0.05) and left renal hilum(P<0.05) decreased significantly after taking FAC. No significant difference was found on signal intensity decrease between intestines around right and left renal hilum(P>0.05). The image quality was significantly elevated from primary 4.25±1.84 to 7.75±1.84 after administration(P<0.05). Conclusions: The combined use of FAC and appropriate TI can suppress gastrointestinal signals effectively and improve image quality significantly in 3D-MRU.
2010, Vol. 21 
