doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A0971
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American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:956-961, May 2008
© 2008 American Society of Neuroradiology
BRAIN
Hyperecho-Turbo Spin-Echo Sequences at 3T: Clinical Application in Neuroradiology
a Department of Neuroradiology, Neurocenter of the University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
b Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
c Department of Neuroradiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
d Institute for Diagnostic Radiology, Freiburg, Germany
e Epilepsy Center, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
f Department of Radiology and Medical Physics, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
Please address correspondence to Irina Mader, MD, Department of Neuroradiology, Neurocenter of the University Hospital Freiburg, Breisacher Strasse 64, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany; e-mail: irina.mader{at}uniklinik-freiburg.de
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hyperecho-turbo spin-echo (hyperTSE) sequences were developed to reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR), especially at high fields such as 3T and above. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the detection of neuroradiologic pathologies by hyperTSE in comparison with standard turbo spin-echo (TSE180°) sequences.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: TSE180° and hyperTSE images with parameters adapted for equal T2 contrast were acquired on a 3T whole-body system in 51 patients with 54 cerebral pathologies. Region-of-interest analysis was performed of signal intensities of pathologies, normal white and gray matter, CSF, and the SD of noise. Signal intensity-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) for healthy tissues and pathologies were determined. A qualitative rating concerning artifacts, lesion conspicuity, and image quality was performed by 2 experienced neuroradiologists.
RESULTS: HyperTSE sequences were equivalent to standard TSE180° sequences for the CNR of pathologies and of the contrast between gray and white matter. The SNR of gray and white matter and CSF were also the same. The CNRs of the pathologies in hyperTSE and TSE180° images were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.93, P = .001). The visual rating of images revealed no significant differences between hyperTSE and TSE180°.
CONCLUSION: HyperTSE sequences proved to be qualitatively and quantitatively equivalent to TSE180° sequences in the detection of high- and low-signal-intensity lesions. They provide equal CNR of pathologies and of gray minus white matter and reduce the imaging restrictions of conventional TSE180° imposed by SAR limitations at 3T.