Comparison of fast spin-echo and conventional spin-echo sequences in the MR diagnosis of rotator cuff tears.

The fast spin-echo (FSE) technique has been a successful alternative to conventional spin-echo (CSE) imaging in the brain, spine, and pelvis, but not in the knee. This study evaluated the performance of the FSE technique in comparison with the established CSE technique as a reference standard. Oblique coronal images of 30 shoulders were obtained by both FSE and CSE techniques. The FSE images were compared with CSE images in terms of blurring and motion artifact, fat signal intensity, structural conspicuity, and visualization of joint effusion and rotator cuff tears. We imaged 30 consecutive patients with suspected rotator cuff tears who were referred for MR examination. FSE images often were worse in blurring and motion artifact than CSE images. FSE images showed higher fat signal intensity, but visualized structural conspicuity, joint effusion, and rotator cuff tear as well as CSE images. Our results suggest that the FSE technique is not equal to the CSE technique but can be used for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears.