Rapid sequence magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of children with hydrocephalus.
OBJECTIVE
Recent reports have shown the utility of rapid-acquisition magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of children with hydrocephalus. Rapid sequence MRI (RS-MRI) acquires clinically useful images in seconds without exposing children to the risks of ionizing radiation or sedation. We review our experience with RS-MRI in children with shunts.


METHODS
Overall image quality, cost, catheter visualization, motion artifact, and ventricular size were reviewed for all RS-MRI studies obtained at Seattle Children's Hospital during a 2-year period. Image acquisition time was 12-19 seconds, with sessions usually lasting less than 3 minutes.


RESULTS
Image quality was very good or excellent in 94% of studies, whereas only one was graded as poor. Significant motion artifact was noted in 7%, whereas 77% had little or no motion artifact. Catheter visualization was good or excellent in 57%, poor in 36%, and misleading in 7%. Small ventricular size was correlated with poor catheter visualization (Spearman's ρ = 0.586; P < 0.00001). RS-MRI imaging cost ∼$650 more than conventional computed tomography (CT).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study supports that RS-MRI is an adequate substitute that allows reduced use of CT imaging and resultant exposure to ionizing radiation. Catheter position visualization remains suboptimal when ventricles are small, but shunt malfunction can be adequately determined in most cases. The cost is significantly more than CT, but the potential for lifetime reduction in radiation exposure may justify this expense in children. Limitations include the risk of valve malfunction after repeated exposure to high magnetic fields and the need for reprogramming with many types of adjustable valves.
["O'Neill|Brent R|BR|", 'Pruthi|Sumit|S|', 'Bains|Harmanjeet|H|', 'Robison|Ryan|R|', 'Weir|Keiko|K|', 'Ojemann|Jeff|J|', 'Ellenbogen|Richard|R|', 'Avellino|Anthony|A|', 'Browd|Samuel R|SR|']
D016477:Artifacts D057785:Catheters D002552:Cerebral Ventricles D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis D004868:Equipment Failure D005260:Female D006801:Humans D006849:Hydrocephalus D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted D007223:Infant D007231:Infant, Newborn D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging D008297:Male D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Magnetic resonance imaging Hydrocephalus MRI RS-MRI Computed tomography CT HASTE HASTE MRI Half Fourier acquisition single shot turbo spin echo Radiation risk Rapid acquisition MRI Rapid-sequence magnetic resonance imaging Repetition time TR Ventriculoperitoneal shunt