title: Isotropic 3-D T2-weighted spin-echo for abdominal and pelvic MRI in children.
abstract: MRI has a fundamental role in paediatric imaging. The T2-weighted fast/turbo spin-echo sequence is important because it has high signal-to-noise ratio compared to gradient-echo sequences. It is usually acquired as 2-D sections in one or more planes. Volumetric spin-echo has until recently only been possible with very long echo times due to blurring of the soft-tissue contrast with long echo trains. A new 3-D spin-echo sequence uses variable flip angles to overcome this problem. It may reproduce useful soft-tissue contrast, with improved spatial resolution. Its isotropic capability allows subsequent reconstruction in standard, curved or arbitrary planes. It may be particularly useful for visualisation of small lesions, or if large lesions distort the usual anatomical relations. We present clinical examples, describe the technical parameters and discuss some potential artefacts and optimisation of image quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London WC1N 3JH, UK. silviacostadias@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sílvia Costa
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Oystein E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Ølsen
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology*; D000465:Algorithms; D016880:Anisotropy; 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*; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013113:Spin Labels
chemical_list: D013113:Spin Labels