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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2015; 19(04): 321-327
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1563732
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Understanding 3D TSE Sequences: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Application in MSK Imaging

Christian Glaser
1   Radiologisches Zentrum München-Pasing (RZM), München, Germany
,
Melvin D'Anastasi
2   Institut für Klinische Radiologie KUM Großhadern, München, Germany
,
Daniel Theisen
1   Radiologisches Zentrum München-Pasing (RZM), München, Germany
,
Mike Notohamiprodjo
3   Klinik für Interventionelle und Diagnostische Radiologie am Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
Wilhelm Horger
4   Siemens Healthcare Sector, MED MR PLM AW, Erlangen, Germany
,
Dominik Paul
4   Siemens Healthcare Sector, MED MR PLM AW, Erlangen, Germany
,
Annie Horng
1   Radiologisches Zentrum München-Pasing (RZM), München, Germany
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 November 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) turbo-spin echo (TSE) sequences have outgrown the stage of mere sequence optimization and by now are clinically applicable. Image blurring and acquisition times have been reduced, and contrast for T1-, T2-, and moderately T2-weighted (or intermediate-weighted) fat-suppressed variants has been optimized. Data on sound-to-noise ratio efficiency and contrast are available for moderately T2-weighted fat-saturated sequence protocols. The 3-T MRI scanners help to better exploit isotropic spatial resolution and multiplanar reformatting. Imaging times range from 5 to 10 minutes, and they are shorter than the cumulative acquisition times of three separate orthogonal two-dimensional (2D) sequences. Recent suggestions go beyond secondary reformations by using online 3D rendering for image evaluation. Comparative clinical studies indicate that the diagnostic performance of 3D TSE for imaging of internal derangements of joints is at least comparable with conventional 2D TSE with potential advantages of 3D TSE for small highly curved structures. But such studies, especially those with direct arthroscopic correlation, are still sparse. Whether 3D TSE will succeed in entering clinical routine imaging on a broader scale will depend on further published clinical evidence, on further reduction of imaging time, and on improvement of its integration into daily practice.

Keywords

3D - TSE - MRI - MSK
 

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