Comparison of inversion recovery gradient echo with inversion recovery fast spin echo techniques for magnetic resonance imaging detection of navicular bone marrow lesions in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To compare navicular bone marrow lesion (BML) conspicuity in the feet of horses as determined via 2 fat-suppressed MRI techniques, including standard short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and inversion recovery gradient echo (IRGE).


METHODS
Feet (n = 150) of horses with lameness referable to the distal portion of the digit.


METHODS
STIR and IRGE sequences were obtained prospectively in all feet with a standing low-field equine MRI system. Presence of a BML was ascertained by identification of a characteristic combination of marrow alterations in T1-weighted, T2*-weighted, T2-weighted, and STIR images. Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated on STIR and IRGE sequences in 56 feet with a navicular BML.


RESULTS
Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios of both sequences correlated linearly (r = 0.87 and r = 0.92, respectively) but were significantly higher for STIR images (mean ± SD, 22.6 ± 12.7 and 12.4 ± 11.4, respectively), compared with IRGE images (13.7 ± 8.0 and 5.9 ± 7.2, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that the IRGE sequence revealed BMLs significantly less conspicuously, compared with the standard STIR sequence. The 2 techniques cannot be used interchangeably, and IRGE is therefore not recommended as the sole fat-suppressed sequence for routine equine standing MRI protocols.
Diagnostic Imaging Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada. julien_olive_veto@hotmail.com
Julien
J
Olive
Thibault
T
Vila
Nicolas
N
Serraud
D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000473:pathology*