Improving abdominal MRI imaging techniques

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Abdomen

This study is testing new MRI techniques to see if they can improve images of the abdomen and help doctors better assess liver cancer in patients.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Madison, Wisconsin)
• Trial ID: NCT05261633 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to enhance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for abdominal imaging by developing novel diffusion-weighted MRI techniques that minimize motion artifacts caused by breathing and other involuntary movements. The study will first optimize these methods in healthy volunteers and then validate their effectiveness in patients with known liver metastases during a single contrast-enhanced MRI session. The primary goal is to achieve precise quantitative diffusion parameter mapping for assessing liver metastatic disease, with secondary objectives focusing on image quality and preliminary data for lesion detection.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with radiologically visible solid tumor liver metastasis.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to MRI or those requiring intravenous conscious sedation for imaging may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate and reliable imaging for diagnosing and monitoring abdominal diseases, particularly liver cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in improving MRI techniques, but this specific approach is novel and untested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Volunteers:

* 18 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Volunteers:

* Patients with contraindication to MRI (e.g. pacemaker, contraindicated metallic implants, claustrophobia, etc)
* Pregnant or trying to become pregnant (as determined by self-report during MRI safety screening)

Inclusion Criteria for Patients:

* 18 years of age or older
* Patients with at least one of the following:

  * Radiologically visible solid tumor liver metastasis, with at least one metastatic liver lesion must be a minimum of 8 mm in longest diameter
  * Patients presenting for liver lesion biopsy

Exclusion Criteria for Patients:

* Patients with contraindication to MRI (e.g. pacemaker, contraindicated metallic implants, claustrophobia, etc)
* Patients with known contraindication to GBCA such as severe kidney disease or previously documented GFR \< 30 ml/min/1.73 m2
* Patients requiring intravenous (IV) conscious sedation for imaging are not eligible; patients requiring mild, oral anxiolytics for the MRI will be allowed to participate as long as the following criteria are met:

  * The subject has their own prescription for the medication.
  * The informed consent process is conducted prior to the self-administration of this medication
  * They come to the research visit with a driver
* Pregnant or trying to become pregnant (as determined by self-report during MRI safety screening)
* Stent in bile ducts
* Partial hepatectomy

Where this trial is running

Madison, Wisconsin

• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health — Madison, Wisconsin, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Diego Hernando, PhD — University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Study coordinator: Radiology Studies

Conditions: Abdominal Imaging