Value of a single-shot turbo spin-echo pulse sequence for assessing the architecture of the subarachnoid space and the constitutive nature of cerebrospinal fluid.
Three case history reports are presented to illustrate the value of the single-shot turbo spin-echo pulse sequence for assessment of the subarachnoid space. The use of the single-shot turbo spin-echo pulse sequence, which is a heavily T2-weighted sequence, allows for a rapid, noninvasive evaluation of the subarachnoid space by using the high signal from cerebrospinal fluid. This sequence can be completed in seconds rather than the several minutes required for a T2-fast spin-echo sequence. Unlike the standard T2-fast spin-echo sequence, a single-shot turbo spin-echo pulse sequence also provides qualitative information about the protein and the cellular content of the cerebrospinal fluid, such as in patients with inflammatory debris or hemorrhage in the cerebrospinal fluid. Although the resolution of the single-shot turbo spin-echo pulse sequence images is relatively poor compared with more conventional sequences, the qualitative information about the subarachnoid space and cerebrospinal fluid and the rapid acquisition time, make it a useful sequence to include in standard protocols of spinal magnetic resonance imaging.
Pease
Anthony
A
Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, USA. tony_pease@ncsu.edu
Sullivan
Stacey
S
Olby
Natasha
N
Galano
Heather
H
Cerda-Gonzalez
Sophia
S
Robertson
Ian D
ID
Gavin
Patrick
P
Thrall
Donald
D
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000473:pathology*