A fast high-resolution multislice T1-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence with a DRIVen equilibrium (DRIVE) pulse for native arthrographic contrast.

OBJECTIVE This article describes a simple method to produce native arthrographic contrast in a fast T1-like turbo spin-echo sequence with the use of a driven equilibrium pulse. CONCLUSION Our 2D multislice turbo spin-echo sequence combined with a driven equilibrium pulse provides a bright signal of joint fluid with otherwise unchanged signal intensities as compared with a normal T1-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence at high spatial resolution and short scan times. Thus, it might represent a useful adjunct for routine joint examinations.

[1]  Thomas M. Link,et al.  Cartilage imaging: motivation, techniques, current and future significance , 2007, European Radiology.

[2]  B. Hargreaves,et al.  Advanced magnetic resonance imaging of articular cartilage. , 2006, The Orthopedic clinics of North America.

[3]  D G Nishimura,et al.  MR imaging of articular cartilage using driven equilibrium , 1999, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[4]  M. Schweitzer,et al.  Special focus session. MR arthrography. , 2002, Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc.

[5]  David Thomasson,et al.  Optimization of a dual echo in the steady state (DESS) free‐precession sequence for imaging cartilage , 1996, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[6]  E. Melhem,et al.  Cervical spine: three-dimensional fast spin-echo MR imaging--improved recovery of longitudinal magnetization with driven equilibrium pulse. , 2001, Radiology.

[7]  M. Schweitzer,et al.  Indirect magnetic resonance arthrography , 2003, Skeletal Radiology.

[8]  Kathryn Stevens,et al.  Magnetic resonance imaging of articular cartilage of the knee: Comparison between fat‐suppressed three‐dimensional SPGR imaging, fat‐suppressed FSE imaging, and fat‐suppressed three‐dimensional DEFT imaging, and correlation with arthroscopy , 2004, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[9]  C. M. J. Van Uijen,et al.  Driven‐equilibrium radiofrequency pulses in NMR imaging , 1984, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[10]  W. Palmer,et al.  Direct magnetic resonance arthrography , 2004, European Radiology.

[11]  Dwight G Nishimura,et al.  Comparison of new sequences for high‐resolution cartilage imaging , 2003, Magnetic resonance in medicine.