MRI of the brain using FLARI and turboSE

Objective: We performed fluid attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR)and turboSE pulse sequences brain MRI to evaluate their characteristics and clinical application. Materials and Methods: 65 Patients with brain diseases were examined with both FLAIR(TR/TI/TE: 9000/2500/110ms) and turbeSE (T1W: 650/14ms; T2W: 5217/110ms) sequences. The signal of CSF in FLAIR images is lower than that of parenchyma with Parameter 9000/2500/100. Results: FLAIR detected more lesions in total than turboSE(1306 versus 1164). Its sensitivity is greater than turboSE(98% versus 88% . P＜0. 05). FLAIR is better than turboSE for subeortical/cortical, cerebral hemisphere and periventricular lesions both in sensitivity and in lesion conspicuousness. But for lesions at basal ganglia and posterior fossa, turboSE is more sensitive than FLAIR. Conclusion: FLAIR sequence shows its advantages. But for certain areas, it is less sensitive than turboSE. We consider that FLAIR should be a complementing modality to turboSE in brain MRI.