Purpose or Case Report: MRI of the abdomen faces several technical challenges owing to respiratory motion, bowel peristalsis, and the need for large volumetric coverage. In adult patients, imaging is typically performed during multiple breath holds to avoid motion artifact; however pediatric patients may be unable to perform consistent breath holds or remain motionless during MRI acquisition. Although techniques such as child life specialists, MRI video goggles, and dedicated MR suite environments have reduced the need for anesthesia in MRI, general anesthesia may be necessary in some patients. Simulating breath holds in anesthetized patients is a technically difficult procedure requiring timed ventilation of the patient's abdomen during MRI acquisition, and results in progressive image degradation due to retained air artifact.

Dynamic Scan Optimization (DISCO) combines 3D DCEMRI + 2 pt Dixon + Parallel Imaging + Temporal Acceleration to provide high spatiotemporal resolution while drastically reducing scan time. Because pediatric patients have relatively low respiratory volumes, this technique enables acquisition of diagnostic quality images without breath-holding.

The purpose of this exhibit is to: (1) provide a guide for successful application of navigated spontaneous breathing multiphase DISCO sequence (2) review common use cases of the DISCO sequence (3) provide practical suggestions for troubleshooting DISCO
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