Single-shot turbo spin-echo MR myelography: comparison with 3D-turbo spin-echo MR myelography and T2-turbo spin-echo at 1 T.

In order to reduce the acquisition time, we compared the single-shot-TSE-MR myelography (MRm) and 3D-TSE-MRm. The T2-TSE sequence was the standard of reference. Fifty patients with low back pain, sciatica or cervical radiculopathy were examined at 1.0 T. The shortest AP diameter of the spinal canal, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for CSF and cord, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and relative contrast (ReCon) between CSF and cord were calculated. No statistically significant difference was found between the three sequences with regard to the AP diameter of the spinal canal. A significant difference was found in: (i) SNRcord; (ii) SNRCSF; (iii) SS-TSE-MRm (showed the highest CNR) and (iv) SS-TSE-MRm (showed higher ReCon compared to 3D-TSE-MRm). In conclusion, SS-TSE-MRm can be used alternatively to 3D-TSE-MRm reducing the acquisition time down to only 8 s per image.