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3D phase-sensitive inversion recovery sequence for intracranial vertebrobasilar artery dissection
Takuya Enoki1, Katsuhiro Kida2, Wataru Jomoto3
1Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1, Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan; Department of Radiological Technology, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, 1-1, Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
The 3D phase-sensitive inversion recovery (3D-PSIR) sequence shows promise in reducing magnetic susceptibility artifacts for diagnosing intracranial vertebrobasilar artery dissection (iVAD). This advanced MRI technique may improve vessel wall defect visualization compared to standard T1W-3D-TSE sequences.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Neuroradiology
- Vascular Imaging
Background:
- T1-weighted 3D turbo spin echo (T1W-3D-TSE) sequences are standard for diagnosing intracranial vertebrobasilar artery dissection (iVAD).
- Magnetic susceptibility artifacts in the cavernous sinus can obscure basilar and vertebral arteries on T1W-3D-TSE images.
- Investigating alternative sequences is crucial for improving iVAD diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 3D phase-sensitive inversion recovery (3D-PSIR) sequence in mitigating magnetic susceptibility artifacts.
- To compare the imaging findings of 3D-PSIR with T1W-3D-TSE for diagnosing iVAD.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of 3D-PSIR for iVAD.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 12 volunteers and 11 iVAD patients using a 3.0-T MRI system.
- Both 3D-PSIR and T1W-3D-TSE sequences were utilized for imaging.
- Vessel wall defects and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were quantitatively and visually evaluated.
Main Results:
- Fewer vessel wall defects were observed in 3D-PSIR images (8%) compared to T1W-3D-TSE images (42%) in volunteers (p=0.046).
- 3D-PSIR demonstrated higher CNR for vessel wall-to-lumen, while T1W-3D-TSE was superior for vessel wall-to-CSF (p<0.001).
- Visual evaluation indicated comparable MRI findings between the two sequences for iVAD.
Conclusions:
- The 3D-PSIR sequence shows potential for reducing vessel wall defects in iVAD imaging.
- 3D-PSIR can yield MRI findings comparable to T1W-3D-TSE, offering an alternative diagnostic tool.
- 3D-PSIR is a valuable sequence for the imaging-based diagnosis of iVAD.
