MR imaging: acronyms and clinical applications

Abstract

The intention of this article is to provide an overview of all MR imaging techniques that are accessible on most of commercially available scanners and have the potential to be used in routine clinical applications. The techniques implemented by the major vendors are briefly explained, including a comparison of the commonly used acronyms. A classification scheme is introduced which provides a reasonable illustration of similarities and differences between various techniques. The imaging techniques are divided into two main groups, the spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences. Within each group is the basic sequence, those which require a preparation of the magnetization, those which use multiple echoes to fill the k-space and those which are performed in a single shot. For each technique the typical clinical applications are listed or the potential applications which have been published.

Obese patients in an open MRI at 1.0 Tesla: image quality, diagnostic impact and feasibility

“…Table 1 depicts surface body coils, which were used whenever possible and sequences [11,12] used for each exam and anatomic region.…”

Fast and ultrafast non-echo-planar MR imaging techniques

“…Major vendors were reluctant to include the technique into their products until the rediscovery of multi-echo SE imaging by Melki et al in 1990, with the finally surviving acronym FSE (fast spin echo) [8]. Other MR equipment vendors, such as Siemens and Philips, implemented a similar method, using the acronym TSE (turbo spin echo) [23]. The potential reduction in measurement time with multi-echo SE imaging is directly proportional to the number of echoes utilized.…”

Current Development of Molecular Coronary Plaque Imaging using Magnetic Resonance Imaging towards Clinical Application

“…The most important proton properties used by MRI are the proton density and two characteristic relaxation times called spin-lattice relaxation time and spin-spin relaxation time, denoted as T 1 and T 2 respectively. Signal intensity primarily depends on the local values of R 1 (1/T 1 ) and R 2 (1/T 2 ) relaxation rate of water protons [21]. Considering the relatively low sensitivity of MRI, the use of specific contrast agents aid the detection of differences between pathological and normal surrounding tissues.…”