Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Body Trunk Using a Single-Slab, 3-Dimensional, T2-weighted Turbo-Spin-Echo Sequence With High Sampling Efficiency (SPACE) for High Spatial Resolution Imaging: Initial Clinical Experiences

PURPOSE:The authors conducted a clinical evaluation of single-slab, 3-dimensional, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) with high sampling efficiency (SPACE) for high isotropic body imaging with large field-of-view (FoV). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Fifty patients were examined in clinical routine with SPACE (regions of interestpelvis n = 30, lower spine n = 12, upper spine n = 6, extremities n = 4) at 1.5 T. For achieving a high sampling efficiency, parallel imaging, high turbofactor, and magnetization restore pulses were used. In contrast to a conventional TSE imaging technique with constant flip angle refocusing, the refocusing pulse train of the SPACE sequence consists of variable flip angle radiofrequency pulses along the echo train. RESULTS:Signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of SPACE images were of sufficient diagnostic value. The possibility of image reconstruction in multiple planes was of clinical relevance in all cases and simplified data analysis. CONCLUSION:The achievement of 3-dimensional, T2-weighted TSE magnetic resonance imaging with isotropic and high spatial resolution and interactive 3-dimensional visualization essentially improve the diagnostic potential of magnetic resonance imaging.