[Comparison of fast turbo-spin-echo and gradient- and spin-echo sequences as well as echo planar imaging with conventional spin-echo sequences in MRI of focal liver lesions at 1.0 tesla].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the value of rapid T2-weighted turbo-spin sequences (TSE), turbo-spin-echo sequences with shortened echo spacing (UTSE), gradient-and-spin-echo sequences (GraSE) and T1-weighted echo-planar imaging (EPI) in comparison with conventional spin-echo sequences (SE) in the diagnosis of focal liver lesions.

METHODS

20 patients with malignant focal liver lesions underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 1.0 tesla.

RESULTS

The use of fast T2-sequences (TSE, UTSE, GraSE) reduced the examination time to about 35-50%. Artifacts were reduced compared with the conventional T2-SE sequence. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that UTSE imaging had the highest tumor/liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) followed by TSE, T2-SE and GraSE sequences. CNR with EPI was lower than with the T1-SE sequence (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Turbo-spin-echo sequences with shortened echo spacing yield a shorter imaging time and improved image quality without loss of signal intensity in tumor/liver-CNR, compared with conventional T2-pulse sequences in liver imaging at 1.OT.