Young Cheol Yoon MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

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

Jee Young Jung, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

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

The institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant study, and the informed consents were obtained. MR imaging was performed in the wrists of 11 healthy volunteers (three men, eight women, age range, 26-31 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 1400/35 msec; FOV- 100 mm; voxel size- 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 mm; SENSE factor- 4; imaging time- 6 min 29 sec). FFE images were obtained with following parameters (TR/TE- 21/9.5 msec; FOV- 100 mm; voxel size- 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 mm; SENSE factor- 4; imaging time- 4 min 53 sec). Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively evaluated both VISTA and FFE images. The readers subjectively assessed the tissue contrasts [between fluid-cartilage (F-C), fluid-triangular fibrous cartilage (F-TFC), and fluid-scapholunate ligament (F-SLL)] 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-C and F-SLL; moderate agreement for blurring and F-TFC), for FFE (almost perfect agreement for artifact, F-C and F-SLL; substantial agreement for F-TFC and F-SLL; fair agreement for blurring). VISTA showed statistically significant superior grades in blurring (p=.00), F-TFC (p=.00), and F-SLL (p=.00). FFE showed statistically superior grades in F-C (p=.002). There was no statistically significant difference in grade of artifact between two sequences.

3D isotropic VISTA sequence was superior to 3D isotropic FFE sequence in blurring, tissue contrast between fluid-triangular fibrous cartilage and fluid-scapholunate ligament. FFE was superior to VISTA in tissue contrast between fluid-cartilage

3D isotropic VISTA sequence is useful in evaluation of TFC and ligaments of wrist.

Yoon, Y, Kwon, J, Jung, J, Qualitative Assessment of Isotropic Wrist 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/2010/9010361.html