Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance images in children with intracranial inflammatory disease
Journal
Chinese Journal of Radiology
Journal Volume
25
Journal Issue
4
Pages
147-152
Date Issued
2000
Author(s)
Abstract
For the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) pulse sequence and increasing the sensitivity of detecting inflammatory lesions in children, we compared FLAIR with fast T2-weighted images in 36 patients who had intracranial inflammatory diseases in the last 3 years. Our results disclosed that FLAIR images detected significantly more lesions than did fast T2-WI (p < 0.01) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. The FLAIR pulse sequence combined with T2-weighting with nulling of the signal from cerebrospinal fluid was superior to fast spin-echo sequences in detecting peripheral and periventricular lesions. Post-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images were more suitable for detecting leptomeningeal processes than were FLAIR images. We conclude that FLAIR images are complementary to fast T2-weighted images and contrast-enhanced T1W images. We suggest that FLAIR should be part of routine brain MR imaging protocols, particularly to define parenchymal lesions adjacent to the ventricles and sulci.
SDGs
Other Subjects
article; brain infection; cerebrospinal fluid; clinical article; contrast enhancement; encephalitis; female; human; infant; intermethod comparison; male; meningitis; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; parenchyma; preschool child; signal detection
Type
journal article