Isotropic MRI of the Knee with 3D Fast Spin-Echo Extended Echo-Train Acquisition (XETA): Initial Experience

Abstract

Three-dimensional FSE XETA acquires high-resolution (approximately 0.7 mm) isotropic data with intermediate and T2-weighting that may be reformatted in arbitrary planes. Three-dimensional FSE XETA is a promising technique for MRI of the knee.

Comparison of 3D Cube FLAIR with 2D FLAIR for Multiple Sclerosis Imaging at 3 Tesla

“…To improve scanning efficiency and generate a large isotropic image volume in feasible time, Cube features autocalibrating reconstruction for Cartesian imaging (ARC), a 2 Daccelerated autocalibrating parallel imaging reconstruction method [8,9]. Cube has already been evaluated for imaging of the knee and ankle, yielding positive results [10,11]. Moreover, Cube FLAIR was shown to produce almost no CSF flow artifacts when applied in brain imaging [12].…”

MR Diagnosis of Facial Neuritis: Diagnostic Performance of Contrast-Enhanced 3D-FLAIR Technique Compared with Contrast-Enhanced 3D-T1-Fast-Field Echo with Fat Suppression

“…When applied to the temporal bone pathologies, this 3D-FLAIR sequence had higher SNR and CNR than previous 2D sequences. 14,15 Moreover, the 3D-FLAIR sequence has been shown useful in the diagnosis of mumps-related deafness and sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and for predicting the prognosis of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, which is not usually demonstrated by the conventional MR imaging sequences. [16][17][18] This ability of the 3D-FLAIR sequence to find minute abnormalities mainly results from the high sensitivity of FLAIR imaging to subtle changes of longitudinal magnetization in the fluid space, which declines with the higher concentration of the contrast agent, different from T1-weighted images.…”

Evaluation of intraneural ganglion cysts using three‐dimensional fast spin echo‐cube

“…In conclusion, previous studies (8,12) have shown the potential for using Cube to image the knee joint of 5T at an outside institution shows cyst within the CPN (asterisks). There is some cyst extension medially (arrowhead), but the complete course of the intraneural cyst is not demonstrated; specifically, the cyst within the articular branch cannot be seen.…”

“…Traditionally, two-dimensional (2D) fast spin echo (FSE) has been used to provide T2-weighted images in a reasonable scan time. 2D-FSE has limitations due to anisotropic voxels with relatively thick slices compared with in-plane resolution that leads to volume artifacts when applied in clinically feasible time periods, even when high field scanners are available (8). A three-dimensional (3D) acquisition is advantageous for reformatting, particularly with isotropic data, and leads to higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) which can be used to achieve higher resolution.…”

“…The Cube sequence uses a train of refocusing radio frequency pulses with modulated flip angles, designed to extend the signal from tissue throughout the echo train with minimal blurring and reduction of the ''equivalent echo time'' (TE) (9). This method can be combined with half-Fourier acquisition and autocalibrating reconstruction for Cartesian sampling (ARC), which can reduce echo time (TE) and echo train length, and improve scanning efficiency (8,9). Because of the MRI characteristics of intraneural ganglia and the ability of Cube to achieve the required spatial and contrast resolution in a reasonable acquisition time, we postulated that Cube would be a valuable addition to the imaging workup of these lesions.…”