The double-echo steady-state(DESS)sequence is a technique for contrast improvement for differentiating fluid from tissue in the knee. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of the DESS sequence in detecting structures in the knee in comparion with other sequences. The same asymptomatic knees were imaged in both the sagittal and coronal planes using various pulse sequences : T_1-, T_2- and proton density-weighted spin echo, T_2-weighted fast spin echo, three-dimensional FISP and three-dimensional DESS. Our results suggest that DESS imaging provides good visualization and satisfactory diagnosis for the any structure in the knee, and is especially useful for evaluation of catilage and joint effusion. Furthermore, as this sequence provides three-dimensional acquisition, it is possible to generate the required planes using the multiplanar reformation technique.
