[3-dimensional multi-echo magnetic resonance tomography: principle and clinical application to the brain].

This paper presents the clinically most efficient MRI method at the present stage of development. The method combines a multi-echo sequence with TEs between 30 and 240 ms with an isotrope or anisotrope data acquisition mode known as 3DME-MRI. Both conventional head or whole body receiver coils can be used, or, for a better spatial resolution, surface coils. The theoretical background of this method is discussed and results of application in the region of the brain are presented.