CSF-suppressed T2-weighted three-dimensional MP-RAGE MR imaging.
Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) is a pulse sequence used for acquiring T2-weighted images of the brain and spine in which the normally high signal intensity of CSF is greatly attenuated. The CSF-suppressed T2-weighted contrast of this technique may be more sensitive to a variety of disorders than that of conventional T2-weighted imaging. The primary disadvantage associated with conventional spin-echo implementations of FLAIR is the relatively limited anatomic coverage that can be achieved in a reasonable imaging time. We developed and optimized a three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (3D MP-RAGE) pulse sequence that combines CSF-suppressed T2-weighted contrast similar to existing FLAIR techniques with anatomic coverage characteristic of 3D imaging. A preliminary evaluation of the new sequence was performed by imaging healthy volunteers and patients with multiple sclerosis.
Epstein
F H
FH
Department of Radiology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, USA.
Mugler
J P
JP
Cail
W S
WS
Brookeman
J R
JR
D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology