Multiple slice FLASH imaging: an improved pulse sequence for contrast enhanced MR brain studies.

A multisclice gradient echo sequence (FLASH) was compared with a conventional spin-echo (SE) technique with regard to its value for contrast enhanced brain studies. In 50 patients with contrast enhancing intracranial lesions, MR studies (0.5 Tesla MR tomograph) were performed with SE images (SE 400/30; four images/3.4 min) and FLASH scans (FLASH 315/14, 90 degrees; 15 images/1.4 min) before and after Gd-DTPA. Based on visual and quantitative assessment diagnostic results of postcontrast SE- and FLASH images were equivalent with respect to contrast enhancement, lesion/brain-contrast, lesion/edema-contrast, and lesion delineation. Although image quality generally was excellent on postcontrast FLASH images, susceptibility artifacts were more severe on FLASH scans than on SE images. However, with the exception of postoperative patients with artifacts due to metal remains, diagnostic information was not decreased by artifacts on postcontrast FLASH images. In conclusion, because of the clearly higher efficiency of the multisclice FLASH technique, this pulse sequence offers the opportunity to speed up contrast enhanced brain imaging.