title: Comparison of 3D FLAIR, 2D FLAIR, and 2D T2-weighted MR imaging of brain stem anatomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although 3D FLAIR imaging visualizes detailed structures of the brain stem, it has not been used to evaluate its normal anatomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether 3D FLAIR images can provide more detailed anatomic information of the brain stem than 2D FLAIR and 2D T2WI.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively evaluated MR images in 10 healthy volunteers. 3D and 2D FLAIR images, 2D T2WI, and DTI were obtained on a 3T MR imaging scanner. A VISTA technique was used for 3D FLAIR imaging. White matter tracts and nuclei of the brain stem were determined on 3D and 2D FLAIR images and 2D T2WI by referring to anatomic atlases and DTI color maps. The subjective assessment of the visibility by using a 4-point grading system and the contrast ratio of the structures on 3D and 2D FLAIR images and 2D T2WI were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The visibility of the SCP and MCP, DSCP, CST, and CTT was higher on 3D FLAIR images than on 2D T2WI and 2D FLAIR images. The contrast ratio for the CST, SCP, MCP, DSCP, and CTT was significantly different on 3D FLAIR images and 2D T2WI and on 3D FLAIR and 2D FLAIR images; there was no significant difference in contrast ratio for the SCP at the pons on 3D FLAIR and 2D T2WI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D FLAIR images provide detailed anatomic information of the brain stem that cannot be obtained on 2D T2WI and 2D FLAIR images.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, Japan 860-8556. kmikarin@rr.iij4u.or.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitajima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shigematsu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uetani
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwashita
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; 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; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult