High-field multisection MR STIR imaging versus spin-echo imaging of extremity tumors

At high (1.5-T) field strength, the authors compared multisection short inversion recovery imaging (STIR) and spin-echo (SE) sequences in 45 consecutive patients with extremity tumors, noting lesion conspicuity (using a four-point scale), the volume and extent of abnormality detected, and the ability to distinguish tumor from adjacent edema. The inversion time in STIR was tuned to each patient to optimize fat supression. STIR demonstrated three lesions missed by SE sequences. Lesions had greater conspicuity on STIR than on SE images in 77% of cases and equally conspicuous in 33%. The volume of abnormality was at least 20% greater on STIR images in 16 cases (36%. STIR showed a greater extent of abnormality that was pathologically proved to be tumor in six cases; however, STIR was unable predictably to distinguish tumor from adjacent edema. The authors believe that STIR provides a useful adjunct to SE imaging in extremity malignancies