MR imaging of the brain: preliminary results with a gradient echo sequence after paramagnetic contrast enhancement

In a series of 15 patients with contrast enhancing lesions of the brain, a gradient echo sequence (TR = 400 ms; TE = 10 ms; flip angle 90 degrees, one excitation) after IV administration of a paramagnetic contrast agent provided equal diagnostic information and image quality to conventional T1 weighted spin-echo images. Imaging time for one sequence could be reduced by two thirds to 1 min 45 sec. Susceptibility artifacts caused only slight image degradation in the bitemporal region and the region of the sella turcica. This gradient echo sequence can be useful in combination with paramagnetic contrast enhancement, as a complement to conventional T1 and T2 weighted spin-echo sequences.