title: Fast spin-echo and fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery versus conventional spin-echo sequences for MR quantification of multiple sclerosis lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare fast spin-echo (FSE) and fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences with conventional spin-echo (CSE) MR imaging in the quantification of the number and volume of multiple sclerosis lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 30 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, we calculated the total number and volume of lesions detected with each of the three sequences using a semiautomated program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On CSE sequences, we calculated a total of 2,583 lesions with a global volume of 836.3 cm3. With FSE sequences, we observed a 16% relative reduction in the number of lesions detected and a 25% relative reduction in global volume as compared with CSE. With fast FLAIR sequences, we detected a significantly lower number and volume of infratentorial lesions, whereas at the cortical/subcortical level the lesions were both more numerous and bulkier than on CSE sequences. Finally, we observed a higher lesion/white matter contrast, a significant reduction in time required for the quantification of lesion load, and a very low interobserver variability in favor of fast FLAIR sequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its limitations in the detection of infratentorial lesions, the fast FLAIR sequence in conjunction with a semiautomated quantification program provides a reliable means to evaluate the total lesion burden in patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiological Section, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bastianello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozzao
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paolillo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giugni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gasperini
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koudriavtseva
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Millefiorini
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Horsfield
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colonnese
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzilli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bozzao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D015203:Reproducibility of Results