Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging technique for myocardial-delayed hyperenhancement: A comparison with the two-dimensional technique

Purpose: To compare two-dimensional and three-dimensional techniques in the detection of myocardial infarction (MI) and in the grading transmural extent (TE). Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with clinically proven MI were examined using two-dimensional and three-dimensional techniques with cardiac-gated, breathhold, T1-weighted gradient echo sequence with an inversion recovery pulse following gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) at 0.2 mmol/kg. Contrast-to-noise, signal-to-noise, and signal intensity ratios (CNR, SNR, and SIR, respectively) were derived and compared for each technique. Results: From two-dimensional to three-dimensional, statistical significant difference was found in the mean CNR (11.65 vs. 56.59; P = 0.002), SNR (18.03 vs. 76.90; P <0.001), and SIR (3.6 vs. 6.36; P = 0.05). Intraobserver agreement (kappa) between two-dimensional and three-dimensional were R1 = 74% and R2 = 90%. Interobserver agreements between the readers were two-dimensional = 77% and three-dimensional = 79%. Conclusion: Mean CNR, SNR, and SIR are significantly increased in the three-dimensional technique compared to the conventional two-dimensional technique.