RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A Comparison of MR Imaging with Fast-FLAIR, HASTE-FLAIR, and EPI-FLAIR Sequences in the Assessment of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 1931
OP 1938
VO 20
IS 10
A1 Filippi, Massimo
A1 Rocca, Maria A.
A1 Wiessmann, Martin
A1 Mennea, Silvia
A1 Cercignani, Mara
A1 Yousry, Tarek A.
A1 Sormani, Maria P.
A1 Comi, Giancarlo
YR 1999
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/20/10/1931.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequences are sensitive for detecting lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). More rapid fast-FLAIR imaging of the brain can be achieved by the concomitant use of half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE-FLAIR) and echo-planar imaging (EPI-FLAIR). The present study was performed in a large cohort of subjects to assess and compare the number and volume of brain lesions detected by the fast-FLAIR, HASTE-FLAIR, and EPI-FLAIR sequences in patients with MS.METHODS: Fast-FLAIR, HASTE-FLAIR, and EPI-FLAIR sequences were obtained from 46 consecutive MS patients. Lesions seen on each type of sequence were counted and classified by consensus by two observers. Lesion volumes were measured using a semiautomated segmentation technique based on local thresholding.RESULTS: The quality of the fast-FLAIR images was significantly better than that of HASTE-FLAIR and EPI-FLAIR images. Fast-FLAIR revealed significantly more lesions and higher lesion volumes than did HASTE-FLAIR and EPI-FLAIR. A similar number of large lesions was detected by the three sequences, but HASTE-FLAIR and EPI-FLAIR showed significantly fewer small and intermediate lesions than did fast-FLAIR. The number of lesions seen on HASTE-FLAIR and EPI-FLAIR images was similar.CONCLUSION: HASTE-FLAIR and EPI-FLAIR sequences revealed as many large MS lesions as fast-FLAIR. Because their acquisition times are only a fraction of that needed for fast-FLAIR sequences, they may be useful for making a rapid diagnosis of MS in uncooperative patients. Their reduced ability to detect smaller lesions indicates that they should not be used as a routine approach to imaging patients with MS.