Subtraction imaging: applications for nonvascular abdominal MRI

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007 Apr;188(4):1018-25. doi: 10.2214/AJR.05.2182.

Abstract

Objective: In this article we will illustrate the role of subtraction imaging for abdominal MRI applications.

Conclusion: Subtraction imaging has multiple applications for imaging the mediastinum, abdomen, and pelvis. Removing any preexisting signal of T1 unenhanced images causes contrast enhancement within a mass to become more conspicuous on subtracted sequences. This is helpful when evaluating a lesion with high signal on unenhanced T1-weighted sequences, where visual detection of enhancement can be difficult on conventional MRI.

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen*
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Flank Pain / diagnosis
  • Gallbladder Diseases / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnosis