Fast T2-weighted liver MR imaging: comparison among breath-hold turbo-spin-echo, HASTE, and inversion recovery (IR) HASTE sequences.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of fast T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences on image quality, hepatic lesion detection, and lesion conspicuity.


METHODS
Three breath-hold, fast T2-weighted sequences with turbo-spin-echo (TSE), half-Fourier acquisition single-shot TSE (HASTE), and inversion recovery (IR) HASTE techniques were examined for 43 lesions in 20 consecutive patients. Evaluation was performed qualitatively on image quality and lesion detectability and quantitatively on lesion conspicuity by using lesion/liver signal-intensity and contrast-to-noise ratios.


RESULTS
Artifacts were significantly less present on the HASTE sequence (p < 0.01). Both TSE and HASTE sequences detected 39 lesions (91% each); the IR HASTE sequence detected 37 (86%). IR HASTE sequence showed a significantly higher signal-intensity ratio than did the others (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Breath-hold TSE versus breath-hold HASTE or IR HASTE is still the most robust sequence in lesion detection, image quality, and lesion conspicuity. However, the HASTE sequence offers good lesion detection and image quality, and the IR HASTE has a better signal-intensity ratio.
Lee
M G
MG
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Ulsan Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Jeong
Y K
YK
Kim
J C
JC
Kang
E M
EM
Kim
P N
PN
Auh
Y H
YH
Chien
D
D
Laub
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D012189:Retrospective Studies