Functional MRI in the evaluation of oesophageal motility: feasibility, MRI patterns of normality, and preliminary experience in subjects with motility disorders

Purpose. The aim of this study was to introduce functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with T1-weighted turbo fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequences in the evaluation of oesophageal motility and morphology, to formulate MRI patterns of normality in healthy subjects and to demonstrate the feasibility of the method by obtaining a preliminary experience in the study of subjects affected by oesophageal motility disorders. Materials and methods. Thirty healthy volunteers and seven patients with radiological and manometric diagnoses of oesophageal motility disorders underwent fMRI with dynamic T1 weighted turbo-FLASH (TFL) sequences during the administration of oral contrast material. Results. Evaluation of oesophageal function and morphology proved possible in all subjects, as well as the formulation of normality patterns. In patients with motility disorders, fMRI correctly visualised the typical alterations in agreement with radiological and manometric findings. Conclusions. Functional MRI sequences acquired during the administration of oral contrast material can evaluate oesophageal transit, providing information on motility and morphology; furthermore. this modality can properly visualise the typical functional and morphological alterations of motility disorders.