MR-IMAGING OF UTERINE CERVICAL-CARCINOMA - COMPARISON BETWEEN FAST SPIN-ECHO MRI AND GRASE

The aim of our study was to compare the image quality of T2-weighted g radient-echo-and spin-echo (GRASE) MRI and fast spin-echo (FSE) MRI fo r imaging of cervical carcinoma. In 40 patients FSE8 (TR/TE = 3400/90 ms) MRI with echo train length (ETL) of 8, GRASE (3400/90) MRI with ET L of 18, turbo factor of 6 and 3 gradient reversals, and FSE18 (2500/1 20) MRI with ETL of 18 were performed. Tissue contrast, subjectively r ated image quality, and accuracy of tumor delineation were compared. S urgical correlation was obtained in 27 subjects. Contrast-to-noise rat ios of the tumor-cervix stroma, tumor-parametrium and tumor-rectum wal l interfaces were better in FSE18 than in FSE8 and GRASE (P<0.001) but not different between FSE8 and GRASE. Subjective image quality was be tter-in FSE18 and FSE8 than in GRASE (P<0.02). The accuracy of tumor d elineation was similar for the three different sequences. The accuracy of FSE and GRASE MRI for the delineation of cervical carcinoma is sim ilar Based on measurement of image quality and CNRs, however, high tur bo factor FSE provides better image quality in MRI of cervical carcino ma. Whether the superior characteristics may result in better staging has to be explored in larger clinical trials.