Clinical Research Details

Ultra-Short Echo Time (UTE) and Whole-Body MRI for visualization of Gynecological Cancer Metastases

Study Description

Gynecological malignancies are a significant cause of mortality among females. However, the survival rate is higher if diagnosed at an early stage. We hypothesize that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can feasibly and accurately stage advanced cases of gynecological cancer. We propose a novel contrast–enhanced MRI protocol which consists of T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), and Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) MR imaging sequences, with the Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) sequence for the chest. UTE is an advanced MRI technique, which has shown promise in lung tissue imaging, one of the main metastatic sites for gynecological malignancies. We plan to image 5 prospective patients with biopsy-proven metastatic disease of the chest. We will investigate the feasibility of the proposed abbreviated whole-body MRI protocol for staging of gynecological malignancies as an alternative to standard-of-care fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET). The successful completion of this research will positively impact clinical protocols in cancer staging and avoid patients from unnecessary radiation utilized by PET imaging.

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • FDG-PET and biopsy-proven gynecological cancer with chest metastases
  • Age greater than 18 and less than 81 years
  • Female (non-pregnant, non-lactating)
  • Able to give informed consent in any language (via the use of translation services)
  • Able to receive contrast agent. No medically documented renal issues (to be verified during MR safety screening questionnaire) and eGFR test before the scan if it has not been done recently based on medical chart of the patient

Exclusion Criteria (General)

  • Pregnant and lactating females
  • Contraindication to MRI such as pacemaker, defibrillator implants, etc.
  • Contraindication to MR contrast agents such as renal insufficiency
  • Claustrophobia

Subjects of all racial/ethnic groups will be recruited.  Lactating and pregnant women will be excluded, as the effects of MRI on fertility or a fetus is not known.  

Open Enrollment

Contact Name: Mauricio Hernandez
Contact Phone: (904) 244-1257
Contact Email: mauricio.hernandez@jax.ufl.edu

Investigators


Karina E. Hew, M.D.
Obstetrics and Gynecology