Bl. Daniel et al., Single-shot fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonanceimaging of the bladder, J MAGN R I, 11(6), 2000, pp. 673-677
The purpose of this study was to reduce artifacts and increase imaging spee
d in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging of the urinary bla
dder. An existing half-Fourier, single-shot fast spin-echo imaging sequence
was modified to allow presaturation with a non-slice-selective inversion r
ecovery pulse (NSI SSFLAIR). Four Independent, blinded readers rated severi
ty of bladder artifacts and image quality in six normal male volunteers. NS
I SSFLAIR effectively suppressed bladder urine signal in all six cases usin
g a TI of 2900-3100 msec. Although NSI SSFLAIR images were noisier than sta
ndard fast spin-echo images, imaging time was only 10 seconds per slice loc
ation. Furthermore, perceived image sharpness was only minimally reduced, a
nd conspicuity of the seminal vesicles and peripheral zone of the prostate
were nearly equivalent. NSI SSFLAIR provides rapid T2-weighted imaging of t
he bladder wall and perivesicular tissues with nearly complete negation of
signal from urine in the bladder. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000; 11:673-677.
(C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.