GRADIENT-ECHO PERFUSION IMAGING OF MUSCULOSKELETAL ABNORMALITIES WITHCONTRAST-ENHANCED 2-DIMENSIONAL FAT-SATURATION FLASH

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of MR perfusio n imaging of various musculoskeletal lesions with a contrast-enhanced two-dimensional fat saturation fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequence an d to assess the potential of this technique for distinguishing maligna nt from benign conditions, Thirty-six musculoskeletal lesions were stu died at 1.5 T. The signal intensity of the lesions, adjacent artery, m uscle, bone marrow, and fat were plotted against time. The time to pea k enhancement, time to maximum signal intensity, percent enhancement, rate of peak enhancement, and rate of enhancement parameters were calc ulated, Because of a significant overlap between malignant and benign conditions, accuracy rates were lower than reported previously. The be st parameter based on these values was the rate of peak enhancement (s ensitivity, 84.6%: specificity, 65.2 - 66.6%; positive predictive valu e, 57.8 - 68.7%). Fat saturation gradient-echo MR perfusion imaging al lows for a rapid assessment of the vascularity of musculoskeletal path ology: however, a significant overlap persists between malignant neopl asms and several benign conditions.