Specialised MRI images are frequently used in specific clinical settings to highlight structures or pathological processes.
Here are some common examples.
MRI interpretation
Specialised MRI sequences
Key points
- Specialised MRI images can be produced in order to answer specific clinical questions
STIR image – Spondylodiscitis
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STIR image – Spondylodiscitis
- STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery) images are highly water-sensitive and the timing of the pulse sequence used acts to suppress signal coming from fatty tissues – so ONLY WATER is bright
- A combination of standard T1 images and STIR images can be compared to determine the amount of fat or water within a body part
- In these MRI images abnormal signal is seen in the vertebral bodies and intervertebral disc
- Abnormal low signal on the T1 image and abnormal high signal on the STIR image – indicates abnormal fluid
- These are typical appearances of spondylodiscitis (also known as discitis)
FLAIR images – Multiple sclerosis
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FLAIR images – Multiple sclerosis
- FLAIR images (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) are commonly used in brain imaging
- The signal from free fluid – such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles – is suppressed (compare with the T2 image)
- High signal seen on these images indicates a pathological process such as infection, tumour, or areas of demyelination – as in this patient with multiple sclerosis
T2*(gradient echo) images – Haemangioma
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T2*(gradient echo) images – Haemangioma
- T2* images (pronounced ‘T2 star’ – also known as ‘gradient echo’ images) can be used to highlight the presence of blood products – such as in this cerebral haemangioma (arrows)
Diffusion weighted imaging – Infarct (brain)
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Diffusion weighted images – Infarct (brain)
- Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) images are viewed together
- Areas of high signal on the DWI images and low signal on the ADC images indicate 'restricted diffusion' - an indicator of a pathological process of cell death such as infarction, cancer, or abscess formation
- Restricted diffusion in a wedge-shaped region of the brain (arrow) is a characteristic finding of a recent cerebral infarct
- These images also show smaller areas of restricted diffusion due to recent lacunar infarcts (arrowheads)