Open MRI Pituitary Suprasellar Imaging
Oscar Blabagno, Jr. RT(R)(MR) and N.J. Reddy, M.D.
Comprehensive Medical Imaging
Victorville, CA USA
"Our Signa Profile Open MR system with high SR gradients and SNR small head coil provides us with excellent image quality when imaging suprasellar lesions."
Oscar Blagagno, Jr. RT(R)(MR)
Case History
45 year old male with complaint of headaches and blurred vision. Previous CT scan revealed abnormality in the parasellar region. Referring physician requested further evaluation with MRI. Patient requested Open MRI due to claustrophobia.
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Figure 1:
T1 Sagittal pre-contrast |
Figure 2:
Axial T2 FSE DE level of the optic chiasm & sella |
With the high SR gradients of the Profile, we were able to maintain 3 mm sections and narrow bandwidths with no compromise to image quality. Utilizing the Small Head coil we also improved SNR by 20% over our standard head coil. Since the Profile is a 0.2 Tesla scanner, appropriate selection for Repetition (TR) is critical due to shorter T1 relaxation times at this field strength. A full dose of gadolinium was also used for this study. A TR of 300ms & min TE provide sufficient T1 weighted post contrast images.
Images revealed a large mass extending into the supra sella cistern area approx 2.1 cm x 3.1 cm. The lesion shows marked extrinsic pressure & superior displacement of the optic chiasm as well as near the obliteration of the left cavernous sinus. The ventricles are minimally prominent.
After full dose administration of gadolinium, non uniform enhancement is seen. Better delineation of the mass is noted & displacement of the inter-cavernous portion of the carotid on the left. Additional post contrast 3DSPGR axials also show the optic chiasm involvement.
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