T2‐weighted MRI of the female pelvis: Comparison of breath‐hold fast‐recovery fast spin‐echo and nonbreath‐hold fast spin‐echo sequences

Abstract In 49 patients who had pelvic abnormalities, breath‐hold T2‐weighted fast‐recovery (FR)‐fast spin‐echo (FSE) (imaging time = 24 sec) and nonbreath‐hold FSE MR images (2 min 8 sec) were compared qualitatively (on a four‐point scale) and quantitatively (using signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast ratios (| SIs of the lesions‐SIs of the myometrium | /SIs of the myometrium)). Motion artifacts were reduced on breath‐hold FR‐FSE (3.8:3.2 = breath‐hold FSE:nonbreath‐hold FSE, P < 0.01) and image quality was comparable (3.8:3.7, NS). In all patients, pathology (leiomyoma [ N = 26], adenomyosis [ N = 10], endometrial carcinoma [ N = 8], and ovarian cystic lesions [ N = 21]) was recognized with comparable lesion conspicuity (3.8:3.7, NS) and better delineation of the structures (3.9:3.6, P < 0.05) on the FR‐FSE images. There was no significant difference in contrast ratios, although SNRs (e.g., myometrium 18.3:25.8, P < 0.01) were better and the uterine zonal anatomy was recognized better on the nonbreath‐hold FSE (3.4:3.7, P < 0.05). These differences did not affect the diagnosis. Breath‐hold FR‐FSE provides the benefits of motionless imaging and a short examination time, although lower SNRs were noted. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:930–937. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.