title: Hyperparathyroidism--comparison of flash imaging with spin echo MR imaging.
abstract: MR images of the neck were prospectively studied in 19 patients with hyperparathyroidism. Fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequence was performed in addition to T1- and T2-weighted spin echo (SE) sequences. FLASH images were obtained with 320/12/20 degrees (TR/TE/flip angle) using presaturation technique. TE of 12 ms was chosen to eliminate high signal of fat tissue. In the evaluation of detectability, a combination of T1-weighted SE and FLASH images (T1WI + FLASH) was compared with a combination of T1- and T2-weighted SE images (T1WI + T2WI). MR imaging correctly depicted 20 of 30 abnormal glands on both T1WI + FLASH and T1WI + T2WI. FLASH imaging effectively eliminated high signal of fat tissue. Nineteen abnormal glands demonstrated higher signal than surrounding tissues on FLASH images, whereas 12 glands were high-intense on T2-weighted SE images. We conclude that FLASH imaging provides improved tissue contrast and anatomic delineation and, thus, may replace T2-weighted SE imaging in the neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Toyonaka Municipal Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takashima
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ikezoe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshii
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koide
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kozuka
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010279:Parathyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity