MRI of bowel obstruction using the HASTE sequence.

High quality MR images of the gastrointestinal tract are now obtainable using a T2-weighted fast SE MR sequence with half-Fourier acquisition of data (the HASTE sequence). This fast sequence can acquire a set of images in a single breath hold and is insensitive to peristalsis-related artifact. It can be used with other imaging modalities in defining bowel obstruction and is accurate in determining the presence of bowel dilation and level of obstruction and in differentiating obstructing tumor from other causes of obstruction.