[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.
Keller
E
E
Radiologische Klinik, Universität Bonn.
Gieseke
J
J
Kossack
D
D
Sommer
T
T
Lutterbey
G
G
Kuhl
C
C
Schild
H H
HH
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.