Definition of the six components of the magnetic resonance (MR) score
Radiological item of the magnetic resonance score | Abbreviation* | Plane | MR sequence | Definition |
Diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensity | DWI-HI | Axial | Diffusion-weighted imaging | Presence of hyperintensity in the colonic wall segment in the DWI sequence. |
Rapid gadolinium enhancement after intravenous contrast medium administration | GADO | Axial | Gradient-echo T1-weighted, arterial phase | Gadolinium enhancement in the arterial phase (20 to 25 s after gadolinium infusion) |
Differentiation between the mucosa–submucosa complex and the muscularis propria | — | Axial | Single shot fast spin echo short time echo without fat saturation | Distinction in the colonic wall between two layers: (1) mucosa–submucosa complex hyperintensity; (2) muscularis propria hypointensity |
Bowel wall thickening | — | Axial and coronal | Gradient-echo T1-weighted, delayed phase | Thickness of the colonic wall exceeding 5 mm. |
Parietal oedema | — | Axial and coronal | Single shot fast spin echo, short time echo, without fat saturation | Thickness of the colonic wall exceeding 5 mm and hyperintensity of the mucosa–submucosa complex |
Ulceration | — | Axial and coronal | 2D Steady-state, free precession imaging (Fast Imaging Employing Steady-state Acquisition, General Electric Company, US) | Loss of substance in the mucosa–submucosa complex |
↵* Used in the text.