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Comparison between sagittal sequences in magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine with fat saturation and different phase encoding directions
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M. Papaioannou   , A. Tsikrika , V. Roka , P. Lavda , N. Pantazis , G.K. Sakkas , E. Dardiotis , A. Bakas , P. Mavroidis , E. Lavdas |
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Abstract: (156 Views) |
Background: Comparison of three different sagittal sequences with fat suppression in the lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evaluating several image characteristics and changing the phase direction. Materials and Methods: Forty-five subjects (20 males, 25 females, mean age 50 years old) participated in this retrospective study in an MRI machine of 1.5 Tesla (GE Signa Hdx). We compared three fat-saturated sequences {T2 Weighted (T2W) Fast Spin Echo (FSE) Fat Saturation (FS) with phase direction superior-inferior (S/I), T2W Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) with phase direction superior-inferior (S/I) and T2W STIR with phase direction (A/P)}. A qualitative analysis was performed, while two experienced radiologists evaluated the images. The statistical analysis was determined by Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test. Results: The T2W FSE FS was superior in almost all studied parameters {total image quality, presence of artifacts, artifacts in 4th lumbar vertebra (L4) - 1st Sacral vertebra (S1), depiction of lesions on vertebral bodies, depiction of lesions on L4-S1 region, sharpness} in comparison with T2W STIR sequences with statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The STIR sequences exceeded the T2W FSE FS in the fat saturation effectiveness with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Conclusion: The T2 Weighted (T2W) Fast Spin Echo (FSE) Fat Saturation (FS) was superior in the depiction of pathology and normal anatomy, eliminating many artifacts in comparison with T2 Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) sequences, especially in the L4 vertebra– S1 vertebra anatomic region, between three under-study sequences. Choosing the appropriate sagittal fat-saturated sequence in each clinical question is useful to avoid misdiagnosis due to technical artifacts. |
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| Keywords: Lumbar spine MRI, fat suppression, image quality, artifact elimination, phase encoding direction. |
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Full-Text [PDF 2610 kb]
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Radiation Biology
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