EVALUATION OF FAT-SATURATION TECHNIQUE FOR T-2-WEIGHTED MR-IMAGING OFTHE SPINE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of fat saturation for performance of T-2-weighted imaging of the spine. Eighteen consecu tive patients underwent MR imaging of the cervical (n = 7) or lumbar ( n = II) spine with proton density/T-2-weighted sequences (TR 2200 ms, TE 30/80 ms) performed with and without fat saturation. Quantitative a nd qualitative analysis of images was conducted to compare tissue cont rast, myelographic effect, presence of artifacts, and ability to delin eate important anatomic structures on conventional and fat suppressed sequences. Images obtained with fat saturation demonstrated improved m yelographic effect and increased contrast between vertebral body and d isk, and between CSF and nerve roots/spinal cord. Image quality and mo st artifacts were equal on both sequences, though fat suppressed image s had reduced image uniformity. Quantitative measurements of tissue co ntrast indicated improved contrast between vertebral bodies and CSF, d isk, and spinal cord/nerve roots on fat saturation images.