Abstract
We examined the usefulness of T2* weighted gradient field echo images for diagnosis for meta-static bone tumors in comparison with T2 weighted turbo spin echo (fast spin echo) images.
In T2* weighted gradient field echo sequence to obtain maximum contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), we experimentally manipulated flip angle (FA) (5°-90°), repetition time (TR) (400, 700msec), and echo time (TE) (10-50msec). The best CNR was 16.4 in fast low angle shot (FLASH) (TE: 24msec, TR: 700msec, FA: 40°). Magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 28 patients with metastatic bone tumors.
In addition to conventional T1 weighted spin echo images, T2 weighted turbo spin echo (fast spin echo images) and T2* weighted gradient field echo images were obtained. T2* weighted gradi-ent field echo images were superior to T2 weighted turbo spin echo (fast spin echo) images in de-lineating the tumors, adjacent fat tissues, and bone marrow.
