Abstract
Fast SE imaging provides considerable measure time reduction, high signal-to-noise ratios as well as similar contrast behavior compared to conventional SE sequences. Besides TR and TEeff, echo train length (ETL), interecho time τ, andκ-space trajectory determine image contrast and image quality in fast SE sequences. “True” proton density contrast (CSF hypointense) and not too strong T2 contrast are essential requirements in routine brain MRI. A Turbo SE sequence with very short echo train length (ETL=3), short TEeff and short interecho time (17 ms), and TR=2000 ms was selected for proton density contrast; a Turbo SE sequence with ETL=7, TEeff=90 ms, τ=22 ms, and TR=3250 ms was selected for T2-weighted images. Using both single-echo Turbo SE sequences yielded 50% measure time reduction compared to the conventional SE technique. Conventional SE and optimized Turbo SE sequences were compared in 150 patients resulting in very similar signal and contrast behavior. Furthermore, reduced flow artifacts in proton density—and especially in T2-weighted Turbo SE images—and better contrast of high-intensity lesions in proton density-weighted Turbo SE images were found. Slightly reduced edge sharpness—mainly in T2-weighted Turbo SE images—did not reduce diagnostic reliability. Differences between conventional and Turbo SE images concerning image contrast and quality are explained regarding special features of fast SE technique.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Haase A, Frahm J, Matthaei D, Hänicke W, Merboldt KD (1986) FLASH imaging. Rapid NMR imaging using low flip angle pulses.J Magn Reson 67 258–266.
Oppelt A, Graumann R, Barfuß H, Fischer H, Hartl W, Schajor W (1986) FISP: eine neue Pulssequenz für die Kernspintomographie.Electromedica 54: 15–18.
Gyngell ML (1988) The application of steady-state free precession in rapid 2DFT NMR imaging: FAST or CE-FAST sequences.Magn Reson Imaging 6: 415–419.
Haase A (1990) Snapshot FLASH MRI. Application to T1, T2, and chemical shift imaging.Magn Reson Med 13: 77–89.
Melki PS, Mulkern RV, Panych LP, Jolesz FA (1991) Comparing the FAISE method with conventional dual echo sequences.J Magn Reson Imaging 1: 319–326.
Mulkern RV, Wong STS, Winalski C, Jolesz FA (1990) Contrast manipulation and artifact assessment of 2D and 3D RARE sequences.Magn Reson Imaging 8: 557–566.
Constable RT, Anderson AW, Zhong J, Gore JC (1992) Factors influencing contrast in fast spin-echo MR-imaging.Magn Reson Imaging 10: 497–511.
Hennig J, Nauerth A, Friedburg H (1986) RARE imaging: a fast imaging method for clinical MR.Magn Reson Med 3: 823–833.
Hennig J, Friedburg H (1988) Clinical applications and methodological developments of the RARE technique.Magn Reson Imaging 6: 391–395.
Mansfield P (1977) Multi-planar image formation using NMR spin echoes.J Phys C 10: L55.
Tice HM, Jones KM, Mulkern RV, Schwartz RB, Kalina P, Ahn S, Barnes P, Jolesz F (1993) Fast spin-echo imaging of intracranial neoplasms.J Comput Assist Tomogr 17(3): 425–431.
Ahn SS, Mantello MT, Jones KM, Mulkern RV, Melki PS, Higuchi N, Barnes PD (1992) Rapid MR imaging of the pediatric brain using the fast spin-echo technique.AJNR 13: 1169–1177.
Jones KM, Mulkern RV, Schwartz RB, Oshio K, Barnes PD, Jolesz FA (1992) Fast spin-echo MR imaging of the brain and spine: current concepts.Amer J Radiol 158: 1313–1320.
Jones KM, Mulkern RV, Mantello MT, Melki PS, Ahn SS, Barnes PD, Jolesz FA (1992) Brain hemorrhage: evaluation with fast spin-echo and conventional dual spin-echo images.Radiology 182: 53–58.
Norbash AM, Glover GH, Enzman DR (1992) Intracerebral lesion contrast with spin-echo and fast spin-echo sequences.Radiology 185: 661–665.
Bottomley PA, Foster TH, Arsinger RE, Pfeifer LM (1984) A review of normal tissue hydrogen NMR relaxation times and relaxation mechanisms from 1–100 MHz: Dependence on tissue type, NMR frequency, temperature, species, excision, and age.Med Phys 11(4): 425–448.
Wehrli FW, MacFall JR, Newton TH (1983) Parameters determining the appearance of NMR images. InAdvanced Imaging Techniques. Vol. II Newton TH and Potts DG (eds): San Anselmo: Clavadel Press.
Wehrli FW, Herfkens RJ, MacFall JR, Shutts D (1985) Contrast and contrast-to-noise in magnetic resonance imaging. InAn Introduction of Biomedical NMR, Petersen SB, Muller RN, Rinck PA (eds). New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.
Melki PS, Mulkern RV (1992) Magnetization transfer effects in multislice RARE sequences.Magn Reson Med 24: 189–195.
Dixon WT, Engels H, Castillo M, Sardashti M (1990) Incidential magnetization transfer contrast in standard multislice imaging.Magn Reson Imaging 8: 417–422.
Constable RT, Gore JC (1992) The loss of small objects in variable TE imaging: implications for FSE, RARE, and EPI.Magn Reson Med 28: 9–24.
Fellner F, Prüll C, Helmberger T, Schmitt R, Hausmann R, Obletter N, Böhm-Jurkovic H (1993) Fast spin-echo sequences with optimized proton density- and T2-contrast: A comparative study with conventional SE imaging in routine brain examinations. InProceedings of the Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Twelfth Annual Meeting, New York p. 1432.
Fellner F, Schmitt R, Helmberger T, Prüll C, Obletter N (1993) Wertigkeit schneller Spinecho- (Turbo-Spinecho-) Sequenzen in der MR-Routinediagnostik des Zerebrums bei 1.0 Tesla.Klinische Neuroradiologie 3: 111–117.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Address for correspondence: Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Klinikum der Universität Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany. Additional reprints of this chapter may be obtained from the Reprints Department, Chapman & Hall, One Venn Plaza, New York, NY 10119.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fellner, C., Fellner, F., Schmitt, R. et al. Turbo spin-echo sequences in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain: Physics and applications. MAGMA 2, 51–59 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01709800
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01709800