Automated small bowel motility measurements in MRI using 2D coronal slices - does the intrasegmental location matter? A pilot study

Introduction: To evaluate if small bowel motility analyses are influenced by the positioning of the 2D-cross-section measurement point within the lumen.

Materials and methods: Forty-four small-bowel motility measurements were included in this institutional review board-approved, prospective study. Motility sequences (Dixon-dynFFE; Temporal-resolution 1s, breath-hold) of the ileocecal region were acquired using magnetic resonance imaging (3.0-Tesla; Ingenia-Philips). Motility was analyzed in three different compartments of the small bowel lumen (ventral, central, dorsal). Curve characteristics were statistically compared.

Results: Mean luminal diameter, contraction amplitudes (P>.05) and the extent of luminal occlusion during contraction (P=.11) did not differ significantly between the compartments (ventral/central/dorsal) of the bowel lumen.

Conclusion: Quantitative motility parameters are not substantially influenced by the choice of cross sections on coronal planes as long as the segment is visible throughout the measurement.