title: Three-Tesla imaging of the pituitary and parasellar region: T1-weighted 3-dimensional fast spin echo cube outperforms conventional 2-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We explored how a novel T1-weighted 3-dimensional (3D) fast spin echo (FSE) sequence (Cube; GE, Waukesha, Wis) might outperform conventional 2-dimensional (2D) FSE techniques for contrast-enhanced imaging of the pituitary and parasellar region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one patients were imaged with 3D Cube and conventional 2D FSE on a 3.0-T magnetic resonance scanner. Two neuroradiologists independently assessed images for anatomical delineation (infundibulum, optic apparatus, and cavernous sinus), degree of artifact, and confidence in lesion definition or exclusion using a 5-point scale. In addition, the readers were asked to rank overall preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Readers A and B found 3D Cube to be better or equal to 2D FSE in 84% and 86% of the cases. Three-dimensional Cube provided significantly better images than 2D FSE with respect to delineation of the infundibulum (P < 0.0001), cavernous sinus (P < 0.0001), optic apparatus (P = 0.002 for reader A and P = 0.265 for reader B), and fewer artifacts at the sellar floor (P < 0.0001). Three-dimensional Cube provided greater lesion conspicuity or confidence in lesion exclusion (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional Cube provides superior quality with thinner slices as well as diminished artifact and can replace conventional 2D FSE sequences for routine evaluations of the pituitary and parasellar region.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Neuroradiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Ruby J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: Idoia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Corcuera-Solano
authors.forename: Puneet S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Pawha
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Naidich
authors.forename: Lawrence N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Tanenbaum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; 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; D015588:Observer Variation; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013113:Spin Labels; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D013113:Spin Labels; D005682:Gadolinium