Tao Chan MBCHB, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Kwok Chun Cheng BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chiu Man Lee MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ka Fai Ma MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Man Chiu AuYeung MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate and validate the use of fat saturated spoiled gradient echo recalled sequences for contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of spine.

Ten consecutive patients referred for contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spine were included in this prospective study. Different regions of spine including cervical (2), thoracic (6), and lumbar (5) have been studied. All the examinations were performed on a 1.5T imager. Post Gadolinium T1 weighted images were obtained using spoiled gradient echo recalled (SPGR) and spin echo (SE) sequences, both with fat saturation. Tissue contrast and contrast to noise ratios were calculated from region of interest measurements. The sequences were also compared against each other by three radiologists, with regard to their clarity in depiction of anatomic details and pathology.

Average contrast ratios between cord/CSF and marrow/CSF were significantly higher in the SPGR FS images compared with the SE images (p<0.05). Average contrast to noise ratios between cord/CSF, marrow/CSF, and cord/marrow in the SPGR images are higher than those in the SE images(p<0.001). In subjective evaluations by consensus amongst three radiologists, the SPGR images are considered superior in 6 cases (60 %), similar in 4 cases (40 %), and none as inferior comparing against their SE counterparts in depiction of anatomic details. Concerning visualization of pathology in the 8 patients with identifiable lesions, the SPGR are considered superior in 4 cases (50%), similar in 3 cases (37.5%), and inferior in 1 case (12.5%). The SPGR protocol (including sagittal and axial sections) took an average of 3 min 45 sec to perform, which is far less than the mean time of 7 min 16 sec needed for the SE images.

Despite the much shorter time needed for image acquisition, post-gadolinium SPGR images fare better than the corresponding SE images, in terms of both objective measurements and subjective evaluations. Therefore we conclude that fat saturated SPGR is a superior replacement for fat saturated SE in post-gadolinium MRI of spine.

Chan, T, Cheng, K, Lee, C, Ma, K, AuYeung, M, Use of Fat Saturated Spoiled Gradient Echo Recalled Sequences in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spine.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4410072.html