F. Fellner et al., TURBO GRADIENT-SPIN-ECHO (GRASE) - FIRST CLINICAL-EXPERIENCES WITH A FAST T2-WEIGHTED SEQUENCE IN MRI OF THE BRAIN, European journal of radiology, 19(3), 1995, pp. 171-176
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.