Healthcare (Dec 2021)

SHIP-MR and Radiology: 12 Years of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Single Center

  • Norbert Hosten,
  • Robin Bülow,
  • Henry Völzke,
  • Martin Domin,
  • Carsten Oliver Schmidt,
  • Alexander Teumer,
  • Till Ittermann,
  • Matthias Nauck,
  • Stephan Felix,
  • Marcus Dörr,
  • Marcello Ricardo Paulista Markus,
  • Uwe Völker,
  • Amro Daboul,
  • Christian Schwahn,
  • Birte Holtfreter,
  • Torsten Mundt,
  • Karl-Friedrich Krey,
  • Stefan Kindler,
  • Maria Mksoud,
  • Stefanie Samietz,
  • Reiner Biffar,
  • Wolfgang Hoffmann,
  • Thomas Kocher,
  • Jean-Francois Chenot,
  • Andreas Stahl,
  • Frank Tost,
  • Nele Friedrich,
  • Stephanie Zylla,
  • Anke Hannemann,
  • Martin Lotze,
  • Jens-Peter Kühn,
  • Katrin Hegenscheid,
  • Christian Rosenberg,
  • Georgi Wassilew,
  • Stefan Frenzel,
  • Katharina Wittfeld,
  • Hans J. Grabe,
  • Marie-Luise Kromrey

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10010033
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
p. 33

Abstract

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The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), a population-based study from a rural state in northeastern Germany with a relatively poor life expectancy, supplemented its comprehensive examination program in 2008 with whole-body MR imaging at 1.5 T (SHIP-MR). We reviewed more than 100 publications that used the SHIP-MR data and analyzed which sequences already produced fruitful scientific outputs and which manuscripts have been referenced frequently. Upon reviewing the publications about imaging sequences, those that used T1-weighted structured imaging of the brain and a gradient-echo sequence for R2* mapping obtained the highest scientific output; regarding specific body parts examined, most scientific publications focused on MR sequences involving the brain and the (upper) abdomen. We conclude that population-based MR imaging in cohort studies should define more precise goals when allocating imaging time. In addition, quality control measures might include recording the number and impact of published work, preferably on a bi-annual basis and starting 2 years after initiation of the study. Structured teaching courses may enhance the desired output in areas that appear underrepresented.

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