Imaging diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: A state-of-the-art review

Table 2 Minimum technical specifications for pancreas protocol magnetic resonance imaging

Feature	Specification	Comment
Scanner type	1.5-T or greater main magnetic field	Low-field magnets not suitable
Coil type	Phased-array, multichannel torso coil	Unless patient-related factors preclude the use
Gradient type	Current-generation, high-speed gradients (providing sufficient coverage of upper abdomen)
Slice thickness	5 mm or less for dynamic series,
	8 mm or less for other imaging
Breath holding and matrix	Approximately 20 s of breath hold with a minimum matrix of 128 × 256	Breath hold instructions are very important
Injector	Power injector, preferably dual-chamber	Bolus tracking/MR fluoroscopy desirable
Contrast injection rate	1.5-2 mL/s of gadolinium chelate	Preferably resulting in the vendor-recommended total dose
Minimum sequences	T1-weighted, gradient echo (3D preferable)
	T2-weighted, turbo spin echo (axial, coronal)
	MRCP (both 2D and 3D preferable)
	Post-Gd, T1-weighted gradient echo
Mandatory dynamic phases	Arterial
	Portal-venous phase
	Equilibrium phase
Dynamic timing	Arterial: 20-40 s
	Portal venous: 45-65 s
	Equilibrium: 3-5 min
	after contrast injection

MRCP: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.