Cervical spine: MR imaging with a partial flip angle, gradient-refocused pulse sequence. Part I. General considerations and disk disease.
A magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence with a short repetition time (TR), short echo time (TE), partial flip angle, and gradient refocused echo was evaluated for the detection of cervical disk disease in a prospective study of 90 patients. These parameters were manipulated to adjust signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and contrast: flip angle (3 degrees-18 degrees), TR (22-60 msec), and TE (12.5-25 msec). Flip angle had the greatest effect on S/N and contrast; its effect differed between axial and sagittal imaging. Cerebrospinal fluid S/N reached a peak at a smaller flip angle in sagittal imaging than in axial imaging. The useful range of flip angles depended on TR. Increasing TR had minimal direct effect on S/N or contrast, but because a longer TR allowed the use of larger flip angles for both axial and sagittal imaging, higher S/N could be achieved with similar contrast. This effect of increasing TR had to be balanced against increased imaging time and increased probability of motion artifact. Increasing TE decreased S/N, increased contrast, and increased magnetic susceptibility artifacts. For the diagnosis of cervical disk disease, the best sequence appears to be one with a very short TR, short TE, and small flip angles within a narrow range.
Enzmann
D R
DR
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305.
Rubin
J B
JB
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000175:diagnosis*