FASCINATE: A pulse sequence for simultaneous acquisition of T2‐weighted and fluid‐attenuated images

A pulse sequence that enables simultaneous acquisition of T2‐weighted and fluid‐attenuated images is presented. This sequence is referred to as FASCINATE (Fluid‐Attenuated Scan Combined with Interleaved Non‐ATtEnuation). In this new technique, the inversion pulse of conventional fast fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) is replaced with a fast spin echo (FSE) acquisition that has an additional 180(y)–90(x) pulse train for driven inversion. By using appropriate scan parameters, the first part of the sequence provides T2‐weighted images and the second part provides fluid‐attenuated images, thus allowing simultaneous acquisition in a single scan time comparable to that of fast FLAIR. FASCINATE was compared with conventional scanning techniques using a normal volunteer and a patient. A signal simulation was also conducted. In the human study, both T2‐weighted and fluid‐attenuated images from FASCINATE showed the same image quality as conventional images, suggesting the potential for this technique to replace the combination of fast FLAIR and T2‐weighted FSE for scan time reduction. Magn Reson Med 51:205–211, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.