Comparison between gadolinium enhanced 2D T1 weighted gradient echo and spin echo sequences in the detection of active multiple sclerosis lesions on 3.0T MRI
AbstractObjectivesTo compare the sensitivity of enhancing multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions in gadolinium enhanced 2D T1 weighted gradient echo (GRE) and spin echo (SE) sequences, and to assess the influence of visual conspicuity and laterality on detection of these lesions.MethodsOne hundred MS patients underwent 3.0T brain MRI including gadolinium enhanced 2D T1 weighted GRE and SE sequences. The two sets of contrast enhanced scans were evaluated in random fashion by three experienced readers. Lesion conspicuity was assessed by the image contrast ratio (CR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) The intracranial region was divided into four quadrants and the impact of lesion location on detection was assessed in each slice.ResultsSix hundred and seven gadolinium enhancing MS lesions were identified. GRE images were more sensitive for lesion detection (0.828) than SE images (0.767) Lesions showed a higher CR in SE than in GRE images, whereas the CNR was higher in GRE than SE. Most misclassifications occurred in the right posterior quadrant.ConclusionsThe gadolinium enhanced 2D T1 weighted GRE sequence at 3.0T MRI enables detection of enhancing MS lesions with higher sensitivity and better lesion conspicuity than 2D T1 weighted SE. Hence, we propose the use of gadolinium enhanced GRE sequences rather than SE sequences for routine scanning of MS patients at 3.0T.Key Points* 2D SE and GRE sequences are useful for detecting active MS lesions. Which of these sequences is more sensitive at high field remains uncertain. GRE sequence showed better sensitivity for detecting active MS lesions than SE. We propose GRE sequence for detecting active MS lesions at 3.0T.
European Radiology