Magnetic resonance imaging of the body trunk using a single-slab, 3-dimensional, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence with high sampling efficiency (SPACE) for high spatial resolution imaging: initial clinical experiences.

PURPOSE

The authors conducted a clinical evaluation of single-slab, 3-dimensional, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) with high sampling efficiency (SPACE) for high isotropic body imaging with large field-of-view (FoV).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients were examined in clinical routine with SPACE (regions of interest: pelvis n=30, lower spine n=12, upper spine n=6, extremities n=4) at 1.5 T. For achieving a high sampling efficiency, parallel imaging, high turbofactor, and magnetization restore pulses were used. In contrast to a conventional TSE imaging technique with constant flip angle refocusing, the refocusing pulse train of the SPACE sequence consists of variable flip angle radiofrequency pulses along the echo train.

RESULTS

Signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of SPACE images were of sufficient diagnostic value. The possibility of image reconstruction in multiple planes was of clinical relevance in all cases and simplified data analysis.

CONCLUSION

The achievement of 3-dimensional, T2-weighted TSE magnetic resonance imaging with isotropic and high spatial resolution and interactive 3-dimensional visualization essentially improve the diagnostic potential of magnetic resonance imaging.