RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Improving Detection of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions in the Posterior Fossa Using an Optimized 3D-FLAIR Sequence at 3T
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 1170
OP 1176
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A6107
VO 40
IS 7
A1 Lecler, A.
A1 El Sanharawi, I.
A1 El Methni, J.
A1 Gout, O.
A1 Koskas, P.
A1 Savatovsky, J.
YR 2019
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/40/7/1170.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is no consensus regarding the best MR imaging sequence for detecting MS lesions. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of optimized 3D-FLAIR in the detection of infratentorial MS lesions compared with an axial T2-weighted imaging, a 3D-FLAIR with factory settings, and a 3D double inversion recovery sequence.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 27 patients with confirmed MS were included. Two radiologists blinded to clinical data independently read the following sequences: axial T2WI, 3D double inversion recovery, standard 3D-FLAIR with factory settings, and optimized 3D-FLAIR. The main judgment criterion was the overall number of high-signal-intensity lesions in the posterior fossa; secondary objectives were the assessment of the reading confidence and the measurement of the contrast. A nonparametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare the MR images.RESULTS: Twenty-two patients had at least 1 lesion in the posterior fossa. The optimized FLAIR sequence detected significantly more posterior fossa lesions than any other sequence: 7.5 versus 5.8, 4.8, and 4.1 (P values of .04, .03, and .03) with the T2WI, the double inversion recovery, and the standard FLAIR, respectively. The reading confidence index was significantly higher with the optimized FLAIR, and the contrast was significantly higher with the optimized FLAIR than with the standard FLAIR and the double inversion recovery.CONCLUSIONS: An optimized 3D-FLAIR sequence improved posterior fossa lesion detection in patients with MS.CNRcontrast-to-noise ratioDIRdouble inversion recoveryFLAIREDFLAIR-enhanced detectionPSIRphase-sensitive inversion recoverySIsignal intensity