SAGITTAL MR OF MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS IN THE SPINAL-CORD - FAST VERSUS CONVENTIONAL SPIN-ECHO IMAGING

PURPOSE: We compared conventional spin-echo (CSE) with fast spin-echo (FSE) dual-echo MR images to determine which of these sequences was be tter able to depict spinal cord abnormalities in patients with multipl e sclerosis (MS), METHODS: CSE and FSE dual-echo MR images were obtain ed in 37 patients with MS and in six healthy control subjects, all of whom were examined on a 1.0-T MR unit with a phased-array coil and car diac triggering, Two blinded interpreters graded the MR studies, first separately and then by consensus, Images were scored for presence of artifacts, number of focal lesions, and presence of a diffuse increase in signal intensity, RESULTS: No abnormalities were seen in the volun teers, The CSE sequences were significantly less hindered by MR imagin g artifacts than were the FSE sequences, Interobserver agreement was s lightly higher for the CSE than the FSE sequences, After reaching a co nsensus, the observers found that both CSE and FSE techniques enabled detection of approximately the same number of focal lesions; however, in three patients, small single lesions seen on the CSE images were mi ssed on the FSE images, Also, depiction of a diffuse increase in signa l intensity was better on the CSE images, As a result, more patients h ad abnormal findings on the CSE sequences than on the FSE sequences (3 5 versus 31), CONCLUSION: Cardiac-triggered dual-echo FSE sequences ar e almost as good as CSE sequences for depicting spinal MS lesions, The refore, in cases of established spinal MS, FSE techniques may be as ef fective as CSE techniques, Because sensitivity for subtle abnormalitie s is lower with FSE imaging, CSE remains the preferred technique for p atients with suspected MS of the spinal cord.