Fast T2-weighted liver MR imaging: comparison among breath-hold turbo-spin-echo, HASTE, and inversion recovery (IR) HASTE sequences

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of fast T2-weighted magneti c resonance (MR) imaging sequences on image quality, hepatic lesion detecti on, and lesion conspicuity. Methods: Three breath-hold, fast T2-weighted sequences with turbo-spin-echo (TSE), half-Fourier acquisition single-shot TSE (HASTE), and inversion rec overy (IR) HASTE techniques were examined for 43 lesions in 20 consecutive patients. Evaluation was performed qualitatively on image quality and lesio n detectability and quantitatively on lesion conspicuity by using lesion/li ver signal-intensity and contrast-to-noise ratios. Results: Artifacts were significantly less present on the HASTE sequence (p < 0.01). Both TSE and HASTE sequences detected 39 lesions (91% each); the IR HASTE sequence detected 37 (86%). IR HASTE sequence showed a significant ly higher signal-intensity ratio than did the others (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Breath-hold TSE versus breath-hold HASTE or IR HASTE is still the most robust sequence in lesion detection, image quality, and lesion con spicuity. However, the HASTE sequence offers good lesion detection and imag e quality, and the IR HASTE has a better signal-intensity ratio.