title: A comparative MRI study for white matter hyperintensities detection: 2D-FLAIR, FSE PD 2D, 3D-FLAIR and FLAIR MIP.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this study was to not only determine the most appropriate sequence for the analysis of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI but also to confirm the advantage of three-dimensional (3D) acquisition, as it has been suggested in previous studies, and to test the convenience of using maximum intensity projection (MIP) algorithms on 3D-fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) images for a quicker evaluation of brain MR studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number of WMH was compared in 40 patients and a control group of 10 volunteers using 4 different imaging modalities: two dimensional (2D)-FLAIR, 2D fast spin echo proton density (FSE PD), 3D-FLAIR and FLAIR MIP. Four experienced radiologists took part in the imaging analysis. All studies were performed on a 1.5-T whole-body MR unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant difference between the number of lesions detected on 3D acquisitions (FLAIR CUBE® or FLAIR MIP sequences) compared with those on 2D-FLAIR or 2D FSE PD was demonstrated. There is no significant difference between 3D-FLAIR and FLAIR MIP, therefore both of them can be used with similar results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D-FLAIR sequences should replace conventional 2D-FLAIR and/or FSE PD sequences in the MR acquisition protocol when WMH are suspected. MIP reformat algorithms are less time consuming, therefore these can also be used to simplify the detection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D sequences are superior for WMH depiction. Moreover, MIP algorithms allow easier analyses with similar results.
authors.affiliation: Unidad Central de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Infanta Sofía, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Á
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Paniagua Bravo
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sánchez Hernández
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ibáñez Sanz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alba de Cáceres
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Crespo San José
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: García-Castaño Gandariaga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D011522:Protons