T1-weighted MR imaging of the brain using a fast inversion recovery pulse sequence

The purpose of this paper was to develop and evaluate a fast inversion recovery (FIR) technique for T1-weighted MR imaging of contrast-enhancing brain pathology. The FIR technique was developed, capable of imaging 24 sections in approximately 7 minutes using two echoes per repetition and an alternating echo phase encoding assignment. Resulting images were compared with conventional T1-weighted spin echo (T1SE) images in 18 consecutive patients. Compared with corresponding T1SE images, FIR images were quantitatively comparable or superior for lesion-to-background contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Gray-to-white matter and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-to-white matter contrast and CNR were statistically superior in FIR images. Qualitatively, the FIR technique provided comparable lesion detection, improved lesion conspicuity, and superior image contrast compared with T1SE images. Although FIR images had greater amounts of image artifacts, there was not a statistically increased amount of interpretation-interfering image artifact. FIR provides T1-weighted images that are superior to T1SE images for a number of image quality criteria.