TY - JOUR T1 - The value of fast gradient-echo MR sequences in the evaluation of brain disease. JF - American Journal of Neuroradiology JO - Am. J. Neuroradiol. SP - 59 LP - 67 VL - 11 IS - 1 AU - P M Steinberg AU - J S Ross AU - M T Modic AU - J Tkach AU - T J Masaryk AU - E M Haacke Y1 - 1990/01/01 UR - http://www.ajnr.org/content/11/1/59.abstract N2 - One-hundred-fifteen patients thought to have intracranial disease were studied with various two-dimensional short repetition time, partial-flip-angle gradient-echo techniques: at 1.0 T, fast low-angle short (FLASH) at 10 degrees and 30 degrees and fast imaging with steady-state precession (FISP) at 60 degrees; at 1.5 T, FLASH 10 degrees, 30 degrees, and 60 degrees, FISP 60 degrees, and contrast-enhanced fast steady state at 60 degrees. These sequences were compared with a T2-weighted spin-echo sequence to determine the relative sensitivities of these techniques in detecting parenchymal lesions. Except for hemorrhagic lesions a substantial number of abnormalities were either not visible or poorly seen on the partial-flip-angle gradient-echo sequences. Minimizing echo time (6-9 msec) to decrease magnetic susceptibility effects did not improve lesion detection. Current usage of two-dimensional gradient-echo techniques for lesion detection is limited, except when calcification or hemorrhage is involved. Their utility may be expanded via the incorporation of three-dimensional techniques and IV contrast agents. ER -