MR imaging protocol
| Protocol |
|---|
| All examinations were performed on six 1.5T MR imaging systems with a 6-channel phased array spine coil. The following sequences were used without fat suppression: |
| • A localizer sequence of 5 images, 30 ms/10 ms/50° (TR/TE/flip angle) consisting of 2 coronal and 3 sagittal images in orthogonal planes |
| • Sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo, 440–550 ms/14–20 ms (TR/TE), 156–307 × 192–512 matrix, 270-mm FOV, 11 sections of 4-mm thickness, 2 acquisitions |
| • Sagittal T2-weighted turbo spin-echo 2896–3300 ms/102–120 ms (TR/TEeff), 156–307 × 192–512 matrix, 270-mm FOV, 11 sections of 4-mm thickness, 2 acquisitions, echo-train length of 12 |
| • Axial T2-weighted turbo spin-echo 2896–3040 ms/103–120 ms (TR/TEeff), 224–190 × 256–512 matrix, 180-mm FOV, 15 sections of 5-mm thickness, 3 acquisitions, echo-train length of 5. Sections were placed in the plane of the 5 lower disks |
Note:—TEeff indicates effective echo-time.