Volume fast spin-echo imaging of the cervical spine

Rationale and Objectives. The authors prospectively evaluated a T2-weighted , three-dimensional (3D) volume, fast spin-echo (SE) pulse sequence in asse ssment of the cervical spine and compared it with standard imaging protocol . Materials and Methods, Eighteen patients with neck pain underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5 T with two-dimensional (2D) fast SE and axial 3D gradient-echo (GRE) protocols and with an additional sagittal T2-weight ed volume fast SE protocol. The spinal cord and canal, neural foramina, and intervertebral disks were assessed by two neuroradiologists, and the resul ts were compared with reports from the standard protocol. The quality of th e partition (direct sagittal) and reconstructed images were evaluated. Results. No differences existed in the assessment of spinal cord disease or disk herniation with 2D fast SE and volume fast SE imaging. Some mild vari ation occurred in assessment of the neural foramina. Partition images demon strated a high level of resolution and contrast, while reconstructed images had consistently lower quality. However, this did not impede detection and grading of disk or spinal abnormalities, which were adequately shown on vo lume fast SE sagittal images. Neural foramina were well demonstrated on axi al reconstructions from volume fast SE imaging. Conclusion. Volume fast SE imaging provides information about the spinal co rd, canal, disks, and neural foramina that is comparable to the information provided by routine imaging. Its thinner sections and multiplanar reconstr uction capability are advantages over 2D imaging. Its greater tissue contra st with better visualization of the cervical cord, greater signal-to-noise ratio, and less susceptibility artifact are advantages over 3D GRE imaging.