Suppression of Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Flow Artifacts in FLAIR MR Imaging with a Single-Slab Three-dimensional Pulse Sequence: Initial Experience

Abstract

The authors compared high-signal-intensity flow-related artifacts present with a conventional two-dimensional (2D) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence with those seen with a single-slab, three-dimensional (3D) FLAIR sequence. Four readers graded the subarachnoid space and intraventricular artifacts, the pulsation artifacts, and the conspicuity of cranial nerves in the posterior fossa. For all comparisons, differences between 2D and 3D images were highly statistically significant, with 3D imaging being superior in all cases.

Double Inversion Recovery MR Sequence for the Detection of Subacute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

“…Second, while 2D sequences are prone to flow-related artifacts, 27 3D acquisition mode dramatically reduces them by using thicker volume. 28 Indeed, subarachnoid signal abnormalities observed on DIR images cannot be related to slow arterial blood flow; this feature further improves the specificity of this technique for the diagnosis of SAH. Third, 3D sequences, with their higher SNR and isotropic voxel size, allow image postprocessing with reformations in arbitrary planes, which, in turn, may improve the conspicuity of signal abnormalities.…”

The Technical and Clinical Features of 3D-FLAIR in Neuroimaging

“…In 2D-FLAIR, especially with thinner slices, CSF inflow artifacts can be a problem. 3,4 FLAIR can sensitively detect subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, CSF artifacts can cause false-positive findings.…”

“…3D-FLAIR enables the acquisition of thinner slices without a significant CSF ghost artifact. 3,4 The three-dimensional dataset obtained by 3D-FLAIR has the potential to be evaluated by computer-assisted quantitative post-processing analyses. 5,6 Recent technical developments have shortened the acquisition time for 3D-FLAIR, facilitating use in a routine clinical setting as well as in specific clinical applications.…”

Clinical Significance of an Increased Cochlear 3D Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Signal Intensity on an MR Imaging Examination in Patients with Acoustic Neuroma

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12] FLAIR MR imaging is sensitive to fluids with a high protein content. [13][14][15][16][17] Furthermore, 3D-FLAIR imaging can minimize the undesired inflow artifacts of CSF flow, has a higher signal-tonoise ratio and spatial resolution, and allows recognition of subtle compositional changes of the inner ear fluid. [18][19][20][21] Therefore, one can assume that the increased protein content in the cochlear perilymph of patients with ANs can be detected on 3D FLAIR imaging with a high sensitivity and good spatial resolution.…”