Body MRI shows a steep incline in procedure volume. Better clinical outcomes and the consecutive cost savings for avoiding ineffective treatment are fueling this trend. The role of MRI is two-fold: it enables better lesion characterization which guides treatment more effectively and holds the promise for significantly earlier assessment of treatment response.

However, patients who cannot hold their breath and the difficulties in arterial contrast timing have limited MRI in the past to be the imaging tool of choice. Siemens' FREEZEit1 technology overcomes these limitations and brings all advantages of MRI to body regions and patients previously excluded from this modality.

Accurate and reliable imaging results from the very first shot...

FREEZEit consists of two imaging sequences: TWIST-VIBE1 and StarVIBE1. TWIST-VIBE enables very precise contrast timing by performing multiple measurements during the arterial phase. The result is robust and fast imaging with full 4D coverage. StarVIBE is a radial imaging technique that suppresses motion artifacts. Hence, free-breathing and contrast-enhanced exams can be performed on patients who have trouble holding their breath.

...enable proper lesion characterization and confident treatment decisions.

In the case of a 54-year-old female patient who showed intrahepatic masses during a sonograph examination, the TWIST-VIBE sequence helped to identify the lesions and distinguish between an Adenoma and FNHs (Focal nodular hyperplasia). Multiple arterial phases made it possible to see the best phase of lesion enhancement, to characterize adequately, and decide for a corresponding treatment.

In the case of a 3-year-old hepatoblastoma patient, StarVIBE allowed a free-breathing and contrast-enhanced follow-up examination after partial liver resection. With its higher spatial resolution and excellent motion robustness, StarVIBE helped to exclude local recurrence. In addition, the absence of ionizing radiation when using MRI is an advantage for pediatric patients who often undergo further follow-up examinations throughout their lifetime.

For more information about FREEZEit and further details on these two cases, please click here.

¹ The products/features shown on this webpage are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons their future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.