TURBO GRADIENT-SPIN-ECHO (GRASE) - FIRST CLINICAL-EXPERIENCES WITH A FAST T2-WEIGHTED SEQUENCE IN MRI OF THE BRAIN

The aim of this study was to obtain first clinical experiences with Tu rbo gradient-spin-echo (TGSE). This fast MRI technique is based on the GRASE sequence which combines the gradient-echo and the spin-echo tec hnique. In 60 patients suffering from different brain pathologies, a T 2-weighted TGSE sequence was compared to a conventional spin-echo sequ ence. Anatomical and pathological structures were evaluated visually b y three independent observers; signal and contrast behavior was assess ed in regions of interest. TGSE showed reduced signal-to-noise-ratios of anatomical structures except for cerebrospinal fluid. The contrast of tumors, infarctions, and hematomas was similar in both sequence typ es. Small microangiopathic and inflammatory lesions as well as basal g anglia degeneration presented with diminished contrast in TGSE. The TG SE sequence can already now be used to acquire T2-weighted images in a dditional orientations requiring extremely short measurement time. How ever, further improvements of image quality are necessary for routine use of TGSE.