Fast spin-echo (FSE) and gradient- and spin-echo (GRASE) in fast MRI of the pelvis

In this prospective study two different T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) sequences and a gradient- and spin-echo (GRASE) sequence were compared in 20 consecutive patients undergoing clinical pelvic MR examinations. A GRASE and two FSE sequences were applied, whereby the FSE sequences differed from each other by altered echo spacings (15.0 and 22.5 ms) and T2 contrast. Quantitative image analysis included ROI evaluation of different S/N and C/N values. Visual image analysis was performed by two independent readers using a standardized score sheet for anatomic and pathologic findings. Overall image quality was significantly better in both FSE sequences. GRASE and FSE22.5 were superior in delineation of most of anatomic and pathologic structures due to intermediate to hypointense contrast behavior of pelvic fat compared to FSE15.0 in which fat was bright. Therefore, FSE15.0 was optimal for low intensity lesions. Short acquisition times of FSE and GRASE sequences allow application of two different techniques-fat hypointense respectively bright-for excellent lesion visualisation. This study demonstrates the usefulness of contrast manipulation in fast T2-weighted MRI techniques without special techniques, such as fat saturation.