[Value of Turbo-FLAIR sequence in the diagnosis of brain diseases at 0.5 tesla].
OBJECTIVE
Aim of the study was to evaluate FLAIR combined with Turbo-Spin-Echo (Turbo-FLAIR) at 0.5 tesla in comparison to conventional T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images (SE) in MRI of the brain.


METHODS
A Turbo-FLAIR sequence was optimised for 0.5 Tesla (Philips Gyroscan T5-II) that provided seventeen 5 mm sections in 4:21 minutes (TR = 6075 ms, T1 = 1600 ms, TE = 120 ms and a turbofactor = 17). Images were compared with T1- (TR = 500 ms, TE = 15 ms) proton density and T2-weighted spin-echo (TR = 2500 ms, TE = 20/90 ms) studies in 10 healthy volunteers and 30 patients with various brain pathologies.


RESULTS
Turbo-FLAIR could effectively eliminate the CSF signal in all studies except ventricular areas with CSF inflow. Contrast-to-noise ratios (C/N) for the contrast between lesions and CSF was superior in Turbo-FLAIR. C/N between lesions and grey matter was significantly higher in Turbo-FLAIR than in proton density (PD)-weighted SE. C/N between lesions and white matter was equal to PD-weighted SE but significantly smaller than on T2-weighted SE. Visual analysis showed greater lesions conspicuity with Turbo-FLAIR and a higher frequency of detection of cortical and subcortical lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Turbo-FLAIR is a reliable and practical technique on 0.5 Tesla, that is more sensitive than SE sequences especially for the detection of cortical, subcortical lesions and lesions surrounded by CSF.
Radiologische Klinik, Universität Bonn.
E
E
Keller
J
J
Gieseke
D
D
Kossack
T
T
Sommer
G
G
Lutterbey
C
C
Kuhl
H H
HH
Schild
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
Wertigkeit der Turbo-FLAIR-Sequenz in der Diagnostik zerebraler Erkrankungen bei 0.5 Tesla.