title: Magnetic resonance imaging of the body trunk using a single-slab, 3-dimensional, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence with high sampling efficiency (SPACE) for high spatial resolution imaging: initial clinical experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors conducted a clinical evaluation of single-slab, 3-dimensional, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) with high sampling efficiency (SPACE) for high isotropic body imaging with large field-of-view (FoV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients were examined in clinical routine with SPACE (regions of interest: pelvis n=30, lower spine n=12, upper spine n=6, extremities n=4) at 1.5 T. For achieving a high sampling efficiency, parallel imaging, high turbofactor, and magnetization restore pulses were used. In contrast to a conventional TSE imaging technique with constant flip angle refocusing, the refocusing pulse train of the SPACE sequence consists of variable flip angle radiofrequency pulses along the echo train.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of SPACE images were of sufficient diagnostic value. The possibility of image reconstruction in multiple planes was of clinical relevance in all cases and simplified data analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The achievement of 3-dimensional, T2-weighted TSE magnetic resonance imaging with isotropic and high spatial resolution and interactive 3-dimensional visualization essentially improve the diagnostic potential of magnetic resonance imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. matthias.lichy@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Matthias Philipp
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lichy
authors.forename: Beate M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Wietek
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mugler
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Horger
authors.forename: Marion Irene
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Menzel
authors.forename: Aristotelis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anastasiadis
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Siegmann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niemeyer
authors.forename: Arnulf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Königsrainer
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kiefer
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schick
authors.forename: Claus D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Claussen
authors.forename: Heinz-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Schlemmer
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods*