MR of the head and neck: comparison of fast spin-echo and conventional spin-echo sequences.
OBJECTIVE
To compare conspicuousness of head and neck lesions on fast spin-echo sequences and conventional spin-echo sequences.


METHODS
Forty consecutive patients with 61 head and neck lesions were evaluated. Lesion conspicuousness was qualitatively compared on conventional spin-echo and fast spin-echo sequences, using both spin-density and T2-weighted images. Thirty-six lesions had surgical or pathologic confirmation, and 25 were assigned a presumptive diagnosis based on clinical evaluation and imaging findings seen on conventional spin-echo T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Forty lesions were related to neoplasms; 21 lesions consisted of infectious, vascular, or inflammatory abnormalities.


RESULTS
Fast spin-echo sequences provided improved lesion conspicuousness in 91% of spin-density images, in 77% of T2-weighted images, and in 84% of the combined spin-density and T2-weighted images.


CONCLUSIONS
By providing shorter imaging times and equal or superior lesion conspicuousness, long-repetition-time fast spin-echo sequences can replace long-repetition-time conventional spin-echo sequences in evaluation of the head and neck.
Fulbright
R
R
Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. 06510.
Panush
D
D
Sze
G
G
Smith
R C
RC
Constable
R T
RT
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000473:pathology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis