Diffusion-Weighted Imaging with Dual-Echo Echo-Planar Imaging for Better Sensitivity to Acute Stroke

• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a3921
• Publication Date: 2014-04-25T03:40:52Z
• Authors: S.J. Holdsworth; K.W. Yeom; M.U. Antonucci; J.B. Andre; J. Rosenberg; M. Aksoy; M. Straka; N.J. Fischbein; R. Bammer; M.E. Moseley; G. Zaharchuk; S. Skare
• Keywords: Echo-planar imaging; Echo (communications protocol)

<h3>BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:</h3> Parallel imaging facilitates the acquisition of echo-planar images with a reduced TE, enabling incorporation an additional image at later TE. Here we investigated use parallel imaging–enhanced dual-echo EPI sequence to improve lesion conspicuity in diffusion-weighted imaging. <h3>MATERIALS METHODS:</h3> DWI data were acquired 50 consecutive patients suspected stroke 1.5T. The included 2 for 1 diffusion-preparation period (echo [TE = 48 ms] and echo 105 ms]). Three neuroradiologists independently reviewed echoes by using routine our institution as reference. Images graded on conspicuity, diagnostic confidence, quality. apparent diffusion coefficient map from was used validate presence acute infarction. Relaxivity maps calculated evaluated potential complementary information. <h3>RESULTS:</h3> Echo DWIs rated better than reference DWI. While had quality overall, unanimously favored over both its high sensitivity detecting infarcts. <h3>CONCLUSIONS:</h3> is useful method evaluating lesions diffusivity. long TE produced that exhibited superior compared shorter provided higher SNR ADC specificity relaxivity may serve complement information regarding blood products mineralization.