Fast and ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging in renal lesions.
Our purpose was to analyze and compare the image quality and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of different fast T1- and T2-weighted sequences with conventional spin-echo sequences in renal MRI. Twenty-three patients with focal renal lesions were examined with a T2-weighted ultrafast turbo spin-echo (UTSE) sequence with and without frequency selective fat suppression (SPIR), a combined gradient-and-spin-echo sequence (GraSE), and a conventional spin-echo sequence (SE). In addition, T1-weighted images were obtained pre- and postcontrast, using a fast spin-echo sequence (TSE) with and without SPIR and the conventional SE sequence. Among the T2-weighted images, the highest CNR and the best image quality were obtained with the UTSE sequence, followed by the fat-suppressed UTSE sequence. GraSE and conventional SE sequences showed a significantly lower CNR and image quality (p < 0.05). The T1-weighted sequences did not show significant differences, in either precontrast or postcontrast measurements. T2-weighted UTSE with and without fat suppression combined excellent image quality and high CNR for imaging and detection of renal lesions. The T1-weighted fast sequences provided no alternative to the gradient-echo or to the conventional SE sequences. The results of this systematic study suggest the use of T2-weighted fast techniques for improved diagnostic accuracy of renal MRI.
Walter
C
C
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Cologne, Köln (Lindenthal), Federal Republic of Germany.
Jockenhöfer
A
A
Heindel
W
W
Kugel
H
H
Jung
G
G
Krahe
T
T
Krug
B
B
Lackner
K
K
D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation