FAST SPIN-ECHO IMAGING OF INTRACRANIAL NEOPLASMS

Our goal was to compare dual echo fast SE (FSE) T2-weighted MRI of int racranial neoplasms with conventional SE (CSE) images. In phase 1 of t he study, CSE and FSE dual echo MR studies of 33 patients with intracr anial neoplasms and 26 normal controls were separately interpreted by three neuroradiologists blinded to clinical history to ascertain diffe rences in lesion conspicuity. The CSE and FSE images were read indepen dently, in random order, with at least a 3 week interval between readi ngs. In phase 2 of the study, CSE and FSE sequences were compared side by side by three neuroradiologists independently to evaluate lesion c onspicuity and artifacts and to determine whether FSE would be an acce ptable replacement for CSE imaging. Lesion detection was equivalent in 111 of 117 interpretations (94.9%). The CSE and FSE sequences were eq uivalent in detecting lesion-associated abnormalities (hemorrhage, cal cium, mass effect, edema, and hydrocephalus) and in characterizing les ion size, margins, and signal intensity. Nonspecific T2 white matter h yperintensities were detected more often with CSE, while susceptibilit y artifacts were less conspicuous on FSE. Ventricular catheters, posto perative soft tissue and bony changes, and postradiation therapy chang es were detected equally well on both sequences. In phase 2 of the stu dy, lesion conspicuity and presence of artifacts were felt to be equiv alent with the two sequences. The FSE sequences can serve as a rapid, feasible alternative to conventional CSE sequences for intracranial tu mor detection.