title: Detection of multiple sclerosis lesions using EPI-FLAIR images.
abstract: Fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (fast-FLAIR) sequences are very sensitive for detecting lesions of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Echo planar imaging allows to obtain FLAIR images (EPI-FLAIR) with significantly shorter scanning times. EPI-FLAIR images obtained with 10 measurements are as sensitive as fast-FLAIR for the detection of large MS lesions. Aim of this study was to compare the numbers of MS lesions seen on EPI-FLAIR images with fewer measurements (and, as a consequence, very short scanning times) with those seen on EPI-FLAIR images with 10 measurements. EPI-FLAIR scans with 2 (EPI-2), 4 (EPI-4), 6 (EPI-6), 8 (EPI-8) and 10 (EPI-10) measurements were obtained from 29 MS patients. Lesions seen using each of the five approaches were counted by agreement by two observers. EPI-10 images were used as the "gold standard" for pairwise comparisons. EPI-FLAIR scans with fewer measurements (EPI-2, -4, -6, -8) were all significantly less sensitive than EPI-10 for the detection of small, intermediate and large MS lesions. All the EPI-FLAIR scans, however, fulfilled MR diagnostic criteria for definite MS. When rapid MR scanning of uncooperative MS patients is needed, EPI-FLAIR images covering the entire brain in less than one minute may be considered.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Research Unit, Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rovaris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iannucci
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filippi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric