TY - JOUR
T1 - Fast spin-echo and fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery versus conventional spin-echo sequences for MR quantification of multiple sclerosis lesions
AU - Bastianello, S.
AU - Bozzao, A.
AU - Paolillo, A.
AU - Giugni, E.
AU - Gasperini, C.
AU - Koudriavtseva, T.
AU - Millefiorini, E.
AU - Horsfield, M. A.
AU - Colonnese, C.
AU - Toni, D.
AU - Fiorelli, M.
AU - Pozzilli, C.
AU - Bozzao, L.
PY - 1997/4
Y1 - 1997/4
N2 - PURPOSE: To compare fast spin-echo (FSE) and fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences with conventional spin-echo (CSE) MR imaging in the quantification of the number and volume of multiple sclerosis lesions. METHODS: In 30 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, we calculated the total number and volume of lesions detected with each of the three sequences using a semiautomated program. RESULTS: On CSE sequences, we calculated a total of 2583 lesions with a global volume of 836.3 cm3. With FSE sequences, we observed a 16% relative reduction in the number of lesions detected and a 25% relative reduction in global volume as compared with CSE. With fast FLAIR sequences, we detected a significantly lower number and volume of infratentorial lesions, whereas at the cortical/subcortical level the lesions were both more numerous and bulkier than on CSE sequences. Finally, we observed a higher lesion/white matter contrast, a significant reduction in time required for the quantification colesion load, and a very low interobserver variability in favor of fast FLAIR sequences. CONCLUSION: Despite its limitations in the detection of infratentorial lesions, the fast FLAIR sequence in conjunction with a semiautomated quantification program provides a reliable means to evaluate the total lesion burden in patients with MS.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare fast spin-echo (FSE) and fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences with conventional spin-echo (CSE) MR imaging in the quantification of the number and volume of multiple sclerosis lesions. METHODS: In 30 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, we calculated the total number and volume of lesions detected with each of the three sequences using a semiautomated program. RESULTS: On CSE sequences, we calculated a total of 2583 lesions with a global volume of 836.3 cm3. With FSE sequences, we observed a 16% relative reduction in the number of lesions detected and a 25% relative reduction in global volume as compared with CSE. With fast FLAIR sequences, we detected a significantly lower number and volume of infratentorial lesions, whereas at the cortical/subcortical level the lesions were both more numerous and bulkier than on CSE sequences. Finally, we observed a higher lesion/white matter contrast, a significant reduction in time required for the quantification colesion load, and a very low interobserver variability in favor of fast FLAIR sequences. CONCLUSION: Despite its limitations in the detection of infratentorial lesions, the fast FLAIR sequence in conjunction with a semiautomated quantification program provides a reliable means to evaluate the total lesion burden in patients with MS.
KW - Magnetic resonance, technique
KW - Sclerosis, multiple
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M3 - Article
C2 - 9127033
AN - SCOPUS:0030944086
VL - 18
SP - 699
EP - 704
JO - American Journal of Neuroradiology
JF - American Journal of Neuroradiology
SN - 0195-6108
IS - 4
ER -