Comparison of fast spin-echo and conventional spin-echo magnetic resonancespinal imaging techniques in four normal dogs

Various magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques have been used to assess lumbar spinal abnormalities in people, Four, young adult, clinically norma l dogs were used to compare Images of the spinal cord acquired using conven tional spin-echo and rapid acquisition relaxation-enhanced (RARE), commonly called fast spin-echo (FSE), magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Latera l myelograms were made as an anatomic control, The T2-weighted FSE techniqu e was characterized by better image quality than the T2-weighted convention al spin-echo technique. The short acquisition time with the FSE technique a llowed increases in the matrix size and number of excitations, thus improvi ng resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. In canine lumbar spinal MR imaging , use of a FSE technique is recommended to reduce the overall time for imag ing and to improve image quality.