Comparison of Quantitative Assessment of BLADE and Isotropic Three-Dimensional Fast Spin Echo Cube (3D T2 SPACE) Sequences with Conventional Protocols of wrist Joint at 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the wrist joint is a useful method in the diagnosis of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), ligaments and tendons, peripheral nerves, cartilage and carpal tunnel syndrome. However, the evaluation of these small anatomical structures is a topic of investigation. In some instances, the diagnostic indices of MRI in tears and other lesions of cartilage and ligamentous structures are relatively low, so the protocols should be optimized. Objectives: In this study, we aim to compare new MRI protocols of3D T2SPACE, PD BLADE and T2 BLADE with the conventional protocols, including T2 FSE, PD FSE, and T1 FSE in case of signal intensity. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with a history of wrist trauma or suspected wrist lesions were referred by orthopedic hand surgeons and enrolled into the study. All the protocols were carried out on all patients and the images were assessed quantitatively by measurement of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). Then, these parameters were compared between different protocols. SPSS ver.18 was used for the statistical analyses. Results: SNR of the cartilage, TFCC on3D T2SPACE and T1 FSE was better than other sequences (P < 0.001). SNR of the bone on PD BLADE was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that of conventional protocols. PD BLADE images showed significantly higher bonecartilage CNR and bone- TFCC CNR (P < 0.001 to P < 0.001). CNR of cartilage-TFCC on T1 FSE was better than other sequences, but no significant statistical differences were seen. Conclusion: High-resolutionMRimages of the wrist using3D T2SPACE, PDBLADE andT2 BLADE were superior to those using conventional sequences quantitatively. High-SNR and CNR MR imaging with SPACE and BLADE would be a promising method to diagnose wrist lesions. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Iranian Society of Radiology.