Table 3.
Recommended MR-imaging protocols
| Plane | Sequence | Technique | TE (ms) | TR (ms) | ST (mm) | FOV (mm) | Matrix | Angulation | Number of slices | Level of evidence* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Static MRI sequences 2D MRI | |||||||||||
| Sagittal | T2WI | Turbo/fast spin echo | 77-132 | 500-4210 | 4 | 200-300 | 256-448 | Midsagittal | 23 | 2 | |
| Transverse | T2WI | Turbo/fast spin echo | 88-132 | 500-7265 | 4 | 200-300 | 256-512 | Perpendicular to the urethra | 25 | 2 | |
| Coronal | T2WI | Turbo/fast spin echo | 80-132 | 500-7265 | 4 | 200-260 | 256-512 | parallel to the urethra | 26 | 2 | |
| Dynamic MR sequences | |||||||||||
| Squeezing | |||||||||||
| Sagittal | T2WI | GE, FFE | 1.27-1.88 | 3.3-397.4 | 8 | 250-310 | 126-280 | Midsagittal | 1 or 3 | 2 | |
| Straining | |||||||||||
| Sagittal | T2WI | GE, FFE | 1.27-1.88 | 3.3-397.4 | 8 | 250-310 | 126-280 | Midsagittal | 1 or 3 | 2 | |
| optional a | Transverse | T2WI | GE, FFE | 1.6-80 | 5.0-1200 | 5 or 6 | 250-310 | 126-280 | Perpendicular to the urethra | 5 | 2 |
| optional b | Coronal | T2WI | GE, FFE | 1.6 | 5 | 5 or 6 | 300 | 256 | Parallel to the urethra | 5 | 2 |
| MR-Defecography | |||||||||||
| sagittal | T2w | GE, FFE | 1.27-1.88 | 3.3-397.4 | 8 | 250-310 | 168-280 | Midsagittal | 1 or 3 | 2 | |
| optional c | coronal | T2w | GE, FFE | 1.27-1.6 | 5-397 | 4 or 8 | 257-350 | 154-256 | Parallel to anorectum | 5 | 2 |
FFE fast field echo, FOV field of view, GE gradient echo, ST slice thickness, 2D two-dimensional, TE time of echo, TR time of repetition, T2WI T2-weighted
aTechnique was reported by 3/8 experts and is supported by reference [15, 21]
bTechnique was reported by 3/8 experts and is supported by reference [15, 21]
cTechnique was reported by 3/8 experts and is supported by reference [22]
* Level of evidence 2 = based on systematic reviews, case control or cohort studies; Level of evidence 4 = based on expert opinion (www.sign.ac.uk)