Abstract
Similar to sampling perfection with application-optimized contrast using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE), T2-weighted fast field echo (FFE) also has a black blood effect and a high imaging efficiency. The purpose of this study was to optimize 3D_T2_FFE and compare it with 3D_T2_SPACE for carotid imaging. The scanning parameter of 3D_T2_FFE was optimized for the imaging of the carotid wall. Twenty healthy volunteers and 10 patients with carotid plaque underwent cervical 3D_T2_FFE and 3D_T2_SPACE examinations. The signal-to-noise ratios of the carotid wall (SNRwall) and lumen (SNRlumen), and the contrast-to-noise ratios between the wall and lumen (CNRwall_lumen) were compared. The incidence of the residual flow signal at the carotid bifurcation and the grades of flow voids in the cerebellopontine angle region in the two sequences were also compared. The reproducibility of the two sequences was tested. No significant difference was observed between the two sequences in terms of the SNRwall of healthy individuals and patients (P = 0.132 and 0.102, respectively). The SNRlumen in the 3D_T2_FFE images was lower than that in the 3D_T2_SPACE images. No significant difference was observed between the two sequences in terms of the CNRwall-lumen. The incidence of the residual flow signal at the carotid bifurcation in 3D_T2_FFE was significantly lower than that in 3D_T2_SPACE. The grades of flow suppression in the cerebellopontine angle region in 3D_T2_SPACE was lower than that in 3D_T2_FFE. Both sequences showed excellent inter-and intra-observer reproducibility. Compared to 3D_T2_SPACE, 3D_T2_FFE showed stronger flow suppression while maintaining good imaging quality, which can be used as an alternative tool for carotid imaging.
Highlights
Since the turbo spin echo (TSE) imaging technique was introduced in 1 9861, it has become an indispensable tool in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The first signal is free induction decay (FID), which is formed after excitation with the most recent radio frequency (RF) pulse
Compared with other spoiler or refocused gradient echo sequences, T2-weighted fast field echo (T2_FFE) only collects the spin echo (SE) component in the steady-state sequence, and the decay of the transverse magnetization is controlled by T2, which significantly reduces the T2* effect
Summary
Since the turbo spin echo (TSE) imaging technique was introduced in 1 9861, it has become an indispensable tool in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The data acquisition speed of TSE is faster than that of ordinary spin echo (SE); for three-dimensional imaging, the scanning time may still be as long as dozens of minutes, which is a disadvantage in clinical settings. T2-weighted fast field echo (T2_FFE) is a steady-state gradient echo sequence[7]. In steady-state gradient echo sequences, once a steady state is reached, two types of signals are formed. Compared with other spoiler or refocused gradient echo sequences, T2_FFE only collects the spin echo (SE) component in the steady-state sequence, and the decay of the transverse magnetization is controlled by T2, which significantly reduces the T2* effect. T2_FFE employs gradient echoes for faster data acquisition, exhibits high imaging efficiency, and can obtain T2-weighted 3D isotropic images within a short time. The purpose of this study was to optimize the 3D_T2_FFE and to compare it with 3D_T2_SPACE for MR imaging of the carotid artery wall at 3 T MR
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