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Detection of lesions in multiple sclerosis by 2D FLAIR and single-slab 3D FLAIR sequences at 3.0 T: initial results

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare conventional 2D FLAIR and single-slab 3D FLAIR sequences in the detection of lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis. Eight patients with MS were examined at 3.0 T by using a 2D FLAIR sequence and a single-slab 3D FLAIR sequence. A comparison of lesion detectability was performed for the following regions: periventricular, nonperiventricular/juxtacortical and infratentorial. The contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) between lesions and brain tissue and CSF were calculated for each sequence. A total of 424 lesions were found using the 2D FLAIR sequence, while with the 3D FLAIR sequence 719 lesions were found. With the 2D FLAIR sequence, 41% fewer lesions were detected than with the 3D FLAIR sequence. Further, 40% fewer supratentorial and 62.5% fewer infratentorial lesions were found with the 2D FLAIR sequence. In images acquired with the 3D FLAIR sequence, the lesions had significantly higher CNRs than in images acquired with the 2D FLAIR sequence. These are the first results using a single-slab 3D FLAIR sequence at 3.0 T for detection of lesions in patients with MS. With the 3D FLAIR sequence significantly higher CNRs were achieved and significantly more lesions in patients with MS were detected.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Gudrun Japp, MD, Department of Neurology, Asklepios Clinic Falkenstein, Asklepiosweg 15, D-61462 Königstein, Germany, for her help in the recruitment of patients. Author J.P.M. was supported in part by NIH grant R01-NS035142 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroradiology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

    Andrea Bink, Jochen Gaa, Heinrich Lanfermann & Friedhelm E. Zanella

  2. Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany

    Melanie Schmitt

  3. Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    John P. Mugler 3rd

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  1. Andrea Bink
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  2. Melanie Schmitt
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  3. Jochen Gaa
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  4. John P. Mugler 3rd
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  5. Heinrich Lanfermann
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  6. Friedhelm E. Zanella
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Correspondence to Andrea Bink.

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Bink, A., Schmitt, M., Gaa, J. et al. Detection of lesions in multiple sclerosis by 2D FLAIR and single-slab 3D FLAIR sequences at 3.0 T: initial results. Eur Radiol 16, 1104–1110 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-005-0107-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-005-0107-z

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