Gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted imaging of the head and neck: comparison of gradient and conventional SE sequences.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare contrast-enhanced GRE and conventional SE (CSE) fat-suppressed T1-weighted techniques in the evaluation of head and neck lesions. A hybrid, opposed phase, frequency-selective, fat-suppressed fast multiplanar spoiled GRE (FMPSPGR) sequence was compared with a fat-suppressed CSE sequence.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with head and neck pathology were evaluated with both fat-suppressed CSE and FMPSPGR sequences. Regions of interest obtained by two viewers in consensus were used to establish contrast-to-noise (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratios for both sequences. Three neuroradiologists also independently reviewed the images for quality of fat suppression, lesion conspicuity, and potential pitfalls.


RESULTS
The CNR of the FMPSPGR sequence was superior to that of the fat-suppressed CSE sequence. Subjectively, all three reviewers rated the FMPSPGR sequence as having fat suppression equal to or better than that in the CSE sequence in 94% of cases. Imaging times for the FMPSPGR sequence were 60-75% faster than those for the CSE sequence.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced imaging of the head and neck region using an opposed phase, fat-suppressed GRE sequence results in improved fat suppression compared with the CSE technique, with substantial savings in imaging time.
Hirsch
J A
JA
Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Loevner
L A
LA
Yousem
D M
DM
Siegelman
E S
ES
Keiper
M D
MD
Marquis
R P
RP
Grossman
R I
RI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006257:Head / Q000473:pathology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA