Optimization of gray/white matter contrast with fast inversion recovery for myelin suppression: A comparison of fast spin-echo and echo-planar MR imaging sequences

We compared two MR imaging sequences, fast inversion recovery for myelin su ppression (FIRMS) and echo-planar FIRMS (EP-FIRMS), for depicting gray/whit e matter contrast. In 18 patients, the frequency bandwidth (BW) was optimiz ed for each sequence; in nine patients, the BW was held constant. In the BW -optimized group, the mean contrast-to-noise ratio (C/N) was three times hi gher with the FIRMS sequence. In the BW-constant group, the mean C/N was 27 % higher with the FP-FIRMS sequence; however, geometric distortion degraded the EP-FIRMS images excessively. For optimal gray/white contrast, FIRMS ap pears to be the superior pulse sequence.