Evaluation of optimized inversion-recovery fat-suppression techniques for T2-weighted abdominal MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To test the theoretical benefits of a spectral attenuated inversion-recovery (SPAIR) fat-suppression (FS) technique in clinical abdominal MRI by comparison to conventional inversion-recovery (IR) FS combined with T2-weighted (T2W) partial Fourier single shot fast spin echo (SSFSE).


METHODS
1.5T MRI studies of the abdomen were performed in 28 patients with liver lesions (hemangiomas n = 14; metastases n = 14). T2W sequences were acquired using IR and SPAIR SSFSE. Measurements included retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat signal-to-noise (SNR) to evaluate FS; liver lesion contrast-to-noise (CNR) to evaluate bulk water signal recovery effects; and bowel wall delineation to evaluate susceptibility and physiological motion effects.


RESULTS
SPAIR-SSFSE images produce significantly improved FS and liver lesion CNR. The mean SNR of the retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat for SPAIR SSFSE was 20.5 +/- 10.2 (+/-1 SD) and 12.7 +/- 6.2, compared to 43.2 +/- 24.1 (P = 0.000006) and 29.3 +/- 16.8 (P = 0.0000005) for IR-SSFSE. SPAIR-SSFSE images produced higher CNR for both hemangiomas CNR = 164 +/- 88 vs. 126 +/- 83 (P = 0.00005) and metastases CNR = 75 +/- 27 vs. 53 +/- 19 (P = 0.007). Bowel wall visualization was significantly improved using SPAIR-SSFSE (P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
The theoretical benefits of SPAIR over conventional IR FS translate into significant multiple improvements that can be measured on clinical abdominal MRI scans.
Lauenstein
Thomas C
TC
Department of Radiology, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Sharma
Puneet
P
Hughes
Timothy
T
Heberlein
Keith
K
Tudorascu
Dana
D
Martin
Diego R
DR
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media