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GRASE (gradient- and spin-echo) MR of the brain
D T Rockwell1, E R Melhem, R G Bhatia
1Department of Radiology, Boston University Medical Center, MA 02118, USA.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|December 24, 1997
Summary
Gradient- and spin-echo (GRASE) MR imaging offers improved detection of brain lesions, including those with paramagnetic properties, compared to traditional T2-weighted turbo spin-echo. This faster GRASE technique shows potential for routine brain MRI, maintaining contrast resolution.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is crucial for brain diagnostics.
- T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) is a standard technique for brain MR imaging.
- Gradient- and spin-echo (GRASE) is an alternative fast imaging technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility of GRASE MR imaging for the brain.
- To compare GRASE with T2-weighted TSE for lesion detection and artifact assessment.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-three patients underwent brain MR imaging using both T2-weighted TSE and GRASE techniques.
- Techniques were matched for echo time, echo train length, and spatial resolution.
- Two neuroradiologists independently assessed lesion detection, conspicuity, and artifacts.
Main Results:
- GRASE demonstrated superior detection of both high- and low-signal-intensity lesions.
- GRASE was more effective in identifying low-signal lesions with paramagnetic characteristics (calcium, hemorrhage).
- Chemical-shift artifacts differed between techniques, with TSE worse in the frequency-encoding direction and GRASE in the phase-encoding direction.
Conclusions:
- T2-weighted GRASE is a rapid MR imaging technique with potential to replace TSE in routine brain imaging.
- GRASE preserves contrast resolution comparable to TSE.
- GRASE excels at visualizing lesions with paramagnetic susceptibility characteristics.