title: Clinical utility of optimized three-dimensional T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted sequences in spinal magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: This article reviews the clinical utility of 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences optimized for the evaluation of various intraspinal lesions. First, intraspinal tumors with hypervascular components and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are clearly shown on contrast-enhanced (CE)-3D T1-weighted gradient-echo (GE) sequences with high spatial resolution. Second, dynamic CE-3D time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) shows delineated feeding arteries of intraspinal AVM or arteriovenous fistula (AVF), greatly aiding subsequent digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Third, 3D multiecho T2*-weighted GE sequences are used to visualize intraspinal structures and spinal cord lesions and are sensitive to the magnetic susceptibility of intraspinal hemorrhages. Three-dimensional balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) and multishot 3D balanced non-SSFP sequences produce contiguous thin images with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in short scanning times. Intraspinal cystic lesions and small nerve-root tumors in subarachnoid space can be viewed using 3D balanced SSFP. Spinal cord myelomalacia and cord compression can be evaluated on fat-suppressed multishot 3D balanced non-SSFP. Finally, a 3D T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence with variable flip angle (FA) refocusing pulse improves through-plane spatial resolution over conventional 2D T2-weighted FSE sequences while matching image contrast.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanitame
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chugoku Rosai Hospital, Hiro-Tagaya 1-5-1, Kure, 737-0193, Japan. tntrad@ms1.megaegg.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5825-376X
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanitame
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School and Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awai
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: 3D T2-weighted sequences; 3D multiecho T2*-weighted gradient echo; CE-3D FSPGR; Dynamic CE-3D TR-MRA; Spinal magnetic resonance imaging