Comparison of conventional spin-echo, turbo spin-echo and respiratory-triggering turbo spin-echo pulse sequences for T2-weighted MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

T2-weighted conventional spin-echo (CSE), turbo spin-echo (TSE) and respiratory-triggering turbo spin-echo (RT-TSE) images were compared to determine there efficacy in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 32 patients with 40 HCCs was examined in this study. Both CSE and RT-TSE images were obtained in all the patients, and in addition conventional TSE images were obtained in 10 patients with 17 HCCs. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that RT-TSE had the highest lesion-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (7.8) and that CSE had the lowest ratio (5.6) (p<0.001). Since qualitative analysis (tissue contrast and conspicuousness of lesions) showed that TSE was inferior to the other sequences, TSE might be less suitable for the depiction of HCC. RT-TSE, however, had the highest assessment in qualitative analysis probably due to reduced respiratory motion artifacts especially at the subphrenic region and at the area adjacent to the gall bladder. It is concluded from the results of the present study that RT-TSE has a potential value as a routine sequence for the detection of HCC. (author)