APPLICATION OF FAST SPIN-ECHO T(2)-WEIGHT ED IMAGING FOR EXAMINATION OF THE NEUROCRANIUM - COMPARISON WITH THE CONVENTIONAL T(2)-WEIGHTED SPIN-ECHO SEQUENCE

T2-weighted spin-echo imaging is the standard screening procedure in M R imaging of the neurocranium. We evaluated fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging (TT2) of the neurocranium in comparison to conventional spin- echo T2-weighted imaging (T2). Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise r atio of normal brain tissues (basal ganglia, grey and white matter, CS F fluid) and different pathologies were calculated. Signal-to-noise ra tio and contrast-to-noise ratio were significantly higher in TT2 than in T2 (With the exception of gray-to-white matter contrast). Tissues w ith increased content of water protons (mobile protons) showed the hig hest contrast to surrounding tissues. The increased signal intensity o f fat must be given due attention in fatty lesions. Because the contra st-to-noise ratio between white matter and basal ganglia is less in TT 2, Parkinson patients have to be examined by conventional T2. If these limitations are taken into account, fast spin-echo T2-weighted imagin g ist well appropriate for MR imaging of the neurocranium, resulting i n heavy T2-weighting achieved in a short acquisition time.