Fat suppressed proton density MRI increases the sensitivity in the detection of cervical cord multiple sclerosis lesions

Abstract

Introduction MR imaging is widely used method to aid in the detection of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions in the cord. Improving the sensitivity of the detection of MS lesions can be useful in the medical diagnosis and could lead to a better approach and heal of the disease. Purpose The aim of this study was to compare T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) combined with spectral adiabatic inversion recovery technique for fat suppression (SPAIR) with proton density (PD) SPAIR in the detection of cervical MS plaques. Materials and methods Twenty five patients with clinically confirmed MS were examined on a 3.0T MR system. T2 and PD TSE SPAIR sequences were obtained in sagittal plane, using the same in plane resolution and slice thickness. The images set were assessed by two independent observers for the lesion detectability and image quality. Quantitative measurements of lesion-to-cord contrast ratio and lesion-contrast-to-noise ratio were obtained. All the lesions were verified with axial T2 multi echo gradient echo images. Results Fifteen of the scanned patients had MS lesion detected. PD_TSE_SPAIR sequence was most efficient in detection of MS lesions, demonstrated increased lesion contrast ratios about 15%, and also provided better image quality than T2_TSE_SPAIR. Twenty percent of lesions (3/20) that were not statistically significantly different from background cord signal on the T2 sequence. Conclusion PD_TSE_SPAIR sequence had high sensitivity to the detection of MS lesions compared to T2_TSE_SPAIR and should be included in the core sequences to the spinal MRI protocol for the assessment of suspected demyelinating disease. Disclosure There is not any disclosure.