Is simultaneous multisection turbo spin echo ready for clinical MRI? A feasibility study on fast imaging of knee...

To evaluate the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of simultaneous multiple-section (SMS) turbo spin echo (TSE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gradient-based "controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration" (CAIPIRINHA) for lesions of the knee.

This prospective study included 10 healthy volunteers and 20 patients scanned at 3 T using SMS (a prototype) and conventional TSE sequences for T1 and proton-density (PD)-weighted imaging (with fat saturation). MRI images of volunteers were evaluated using a five-point score based on artefacts, and visualisation of the bone, cartilage, ligaments, and menisci. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of ligament/bone, meniscus/bone, and cartilage/bone on T1-weighted images, as well as ligament/effusion, meniscus/effusion, cartilage/effusion, and bone/effusion on PD-weighted images (with fat saturation) were compared for better contrast. The SMS images for diagnosis of lesions of the knee were also evaluated using another five-point score: image sharpness, depiction of lesions, relationship to surrounding structures, and overall artefacts in the lesions.

Compared to conventional TSE sequences, SMS provides similar diagnostic accuracy with significantly reduced scan time. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analysis showed a comparable image quality between these two sequences except for the aliasing artefacts near the coil edges and CNR of cartilage/bone in T1-weighted images in SMS.

Compared to conventional TSE sequences, SMS requires shorter scan times and offers similar image quality and diagnostic accuracy. SMS is valuable for MRI examinations of the knee.