Min Hee Lee MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jang Gyu Cha MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jai Soung Park, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seong Jin Park MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Beom Ha Yi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dong Hun Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Young Ju Lee PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Research support, General Electric Company

To prospectively compare a new isotropic three-dimensional fast spin-echo pulse with extended echo train acquisition (3D-FSE-Cube) with a conventional two dimensional (2D) FSE sequence for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the wrist.

MR imaging was performed in the wrists of 20 healthy volunteers (M: F=13: 7; age range: 23-30, mean: 26.1 years) at 3T. MR imaging with 3D-FSE-Cube was performed with an isotropic resolution of 0.5mm. Coronal, sagittal and axial reformats of the isotropic images were used for image analysis. 2D-FSE proton density weighted images were acquired in the coronal, sagittal and axial planes with 2mm section thickness in all volunteers. Qualitative image analysis was performed by two radiologists for five triangular fibrous cartilage complex (TFCC) components, intrinsic ligaments and radioulnar ligaments at the images of three planes. The two sequences were also compared for overall image quality, blurring, and artifacts. For quantitative analysis, signal intensity from lunocapitate cartilage, muscle, TFCC, bone marrow and the standard deviations (SDs) of background noise were measured and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated in all two sequences.

Imaging time was 7 minutes 57 seconds to cover the entire wrist with 3D-FSE-Cube sequence. With conventional 2D-FSE sequence, 4 minutes 56 seconds was required for each plane and the total imaging time was 14 minutes 48 seconds. Bone marrow-cartilage, bone marrow-TFCC and cartilage-TFCC CNR were similar for both techniques. Bone marrow-muscle CNR was significantly higher with 3D-FSE-Cube sequence (p<0.001). In qualitative analysis, TFCC components and ligaments showed higher scores on coronal and sagittal reformats with 3D-FSE-Cube sequence (p<0.01 for all). Overall image quality was better with 3D-FSE-Cube sequence (p=0.002) but blurring was significantly greater on 3D-FSE-Cube images (p<0.001).  

The 3D-FSE-Cube is a promising new MR imaging sequence with the rapid acquisition of high spatial-resolution isotropic data for viewing complex wrist joint anatomy.  

The ability of 3D-FSE-Cube to acquire images rapidly at arbitrary planes and section thicknesses may improve depiction of anatomy and diagnosis of disease.

Lee, M, Cha, J, Park, J, Park, S, Yi, B, Kim, D, Lee, Y, Wrist: Isotropic MR Imaging with 3D-FSE-Cube—Preliminary Results in Healthy Volunteers.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9007799.html