title: Usefulness of non-contrast MRI three dimensional brain surface imaging using a T(2) weighted image.
abstract: MR brain surface imaging using a 3D T(1) fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (FSPGR) sequence with contrast medium is useful for surgical planning. However, this method has several problems such as use of the contrast medium. In this paper we evaluated the usefulness of MR 3D brain surface imaging using a non-contrast enhanced 3D T(2) fast recovery fast spin echo (FRFSE) sequence as a new alternative method. This study includes 5 volunteers who underwent 3D volume rendering (VR) imaging using both a non-contrast enhanced 3D T(1)-SPGR sequence and a non-contrast enhanced 3D T(2)-FRFSE sequence, and 10 patients with brain tumors, who underwent preoperative 3D VR imaging using both a contrast enhanced 3D T(1)-SPGR sequence and a non-contrast enhanced 3D T(2)-FRFSE sequence. Four neurosurgeons assessed the visibility of sulci, gyri, and brain surface veins using a 4-point confidence scale on each VR image. 3D VR imaging using a 3D T(2)-FRFSE sequence was significantly superior to that using a 3D T(1)-SPGR sequence in the visualization of the sulci and gyri (p<0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference between both sequences in the visualization of the brain surface veins. MR brain surface imaging using a non-contrast 3D T(2)-FRFSE sequence is at least equal or superior to 3D imaging using a contrast enhanced 3D T(1)-SPGR sequence in the preoperative planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tottori University Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamitani
authors.forename: Eijiro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged