Fast breath-hold T2-weighted MRI of the kidney by means of half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echo: comparison with high resolution turbo spin echo sequence.
OBJECTIVE
The value of the fast half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) sequence in T2-weighted MRI of the kidney was evaluated as a substitute for the conventional turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence.


METHODS
Forty-five patients with suspected abnormalities of the kidney underwent MRI with a 1.5 T system. Breath-hold HASTE and respiratory-triggered TSE sequences were performed. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed for comparison of these sequences.


RESULTS
The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with HASTE was higher than that with TSE. The lesion-to-kidney contrast-to-noise ratio for solid masses with HASTE was almost equal to that with TSE. For cystic masses, the CNR with HASTE was significantly higher than that with TSE (p < 0.05). Respiratory and chemical shift artifacts were significantly smaller on HASTE than on TSE (p < 0.01). However, the blurring artifact was higher on HASTE than on TSE (p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The HASTE sequence generates high contrast images and is free of motion and chemical shift artifacts, with much better time efficacy. The sequence provides comparable diagnostic information to TSE sequences.
Nakayama
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan. yosiharu@dd.iij4u.or.jp
Yamashita
Y
Y
Matsuno
Y
Y
Tang
Y
Y
Namimoto
T
T
Kadota
M
M
Mitsuzaki
K
K
Abe
Y
Y
Katahira
K
K
Arakawa
A
A
Takahashi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography