T1 versus T2 versus T2* in the detection of lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus with high-field-strength MR imaging

The purpose of this study was to determine what MR imaging protocol is the most accurate and least time consuming for lumbar disk detection. Axial and sagittal T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted images were obtained in 30 cases of lumbar hernited nucleus pulposus with the use of a high-field-strength magnet. The authors findings indicate that T1- and T2-weighted sagittal sequences together with T1- and T2*-weighted axial sequences achieve this goal. The benefit and disadvantages are reviewed