Young Cheol Yoon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jung Min Seo, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jong Won Kwon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hyun Su Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To compare three-dimensional (3D) isotropic VISTA sequence with 3D isotropic FFE sequence for image quality in knee joint

The IRB approved this HIPAA-compliant study, and the informed consents were obtained. MR imaging was performed in the knees of 10 healthy volunteers (three men, seven women, age range, 26-30 years). Imaging with both 3D FSE intermediate-weighted sequence with refocusing control (VISTA; Volume Isotropic Turbo Spin Echo Acquisition) and FFE sequences were performed at 3.0-T. VISTA images were obtained with following parameters (TR/TE 1600/33 msec; FOV- 160 mm; voxel size- 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm; SENSE factor- 2.5; imaging time- 6 min 48 sec). FFE images were obtained with following parameters (TR/TE- 19/8.8 msec; FOV- 160 mm; voxel size- 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm; SENSE factor- 2.5; imaging time- 5 min 55 sec). Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively evaluated both VISTA and FFE images. The readers subjectively assessed the tissue contrasts [between fluid-cartilage (F-C), fluid-meniscus (F-M), and fluid-cruciate ligaments (F-L)] with use of 4-points scale (1- poor; 2- good; 3- fair; 4-excellent). Grades of artifact and blurring were also evaluated with 4-points scale. Statistical analysis for interobserver agreement (kappa analysis) and differences in grades in tissue contrasts, blurring, and artifact between VISTA and FFE images (Wilcoxon singed rank) were performed. P value less than .05 was regarded as statistically significant

Kappa values were as followings; for VISTA (almost perfect agreement for artifact, F-M, and F-L; substantial agreement for F-C; moderate agreement for blurring), for FFE (almost perfect agreement for F-M; moderate agreement for artifact, blurring, F-C, and F-L). VISTA showed statistically significant superior grades in artifact (p=.008), blurring (p=.007), F-M (p=.00), and F-L (p=.00). FFE showed superior grades in F-C, but it was not statistically significant (p=.414)

3D isotropic VISTA sequence was superior to 3D isotropic FFE sequence in artifact, blurring, tissue contrast between fluid-meniscus, and tissue contrast between fluid-ligament

3D isotropic VISTA sequence is useful in evaluation of meniscus and ligaments of knee

Yoon, Y, Seo, J, Kwon, J, Kim, H, Qualitative Assessment of Isotropic Knee MR Imaging: 3D Isotropic VISTA versus 3D Isotropic FFE Sequences.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9008242.html