title: Brain imaging: Comparison of T1W FLAIR BLADE with conventional T1W SE.
abstract: Although T1 weighted spin echo (T1W SE) images are widely used to study anatomical details and pathologic abnormalities of the brain, its role in delineation of lesions and reduction of artifacts has not been thoroughly investigated. BLADE is a fairly new technique that has been reported to reduce motion artifacts and improve image quality.
  
  
  
  The primary objective of this study is to compare the quality of T1-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images with BLADE technique (T1W FLAIR BLADE) and the quality of T1W SE images in the MR imaging of the brain. The goal is to highlight the advantages of the two sequences as well as which one can better reduce flow and motion artifacts so that the imaging of the lesions will not be impaired.
  
  
  
  Brain examinations with T1W FLAIR BLADE and T1W SE sequences were performed on 48 patients using a 1.5T scanner. These techniques were evaluated by two radiologists based on: a) a qualitative analysis i.e. overall image quality, presence of artifacts, CSF nulling; and b) a quantitative analysis of signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) and Relative Contrast. The statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric system.
  
  
  
  In the qualitative analysis, BLADE sequences had a higher scoring than the conventional sequences in all the cases. The overall image quality was better on T1W FLAIR BLADE. Motion and flow-related artifacts were lower in T1W FLAIR BLADE. Regarding the SNR measurements, T1W SE appeared to have higher values in the majority of cases, whilst T1W-FLAIR BLADE had higher values in the CNR and Relative Contrast measurements.
  
  
  
  T1W FLAIR BLADE sequence appears to be superior to T1W SE in overall image quality and reduction of motion and flow-pulsation artifacts as well as in nulling CSF and has been preferred by the clinicians. T1W FLAIR BLADE may be an alternative approach in brain MRI imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Panayiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mavroidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Radiological Technologists, Technological Education Institute of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giankou
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsikrika
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Eftichia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kapsalaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, IASO Thessalias Hospital, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chatzigeorgiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, IASO Thessalias Hospital, Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Batsikas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Radiological Technologists, Technological Education Institute of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zaimis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Instruments Technology, Techological Education Institute of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kostopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Instruments Technology, Techological Education Institute of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glotsos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Instruments Technology, Techological Education Institute of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ninos
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Athens 'G. Genimatas', Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Georgountzos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Instruments Technology, Techological Education Institute of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dionisios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kavouras
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Radiological Technologists, Technological Education Institute of Athens, Greece. Electronic address: llavdas@teiath.gr.
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lavdas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009038:Motion; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 1.5T MRI; BLADE sequences; Brain examination; Motion artifacts