MR of epidermoids with a variety of pulse sequences.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequences in depicting epidermoid tumors.

METHODS: Six patients with surgically confirmed epidermoid tumors in the subarachnoid space were examined with T1-weighted MR imaging with a spin-echo sequence, and with T2- and proton density-weighted imaging with a fast spin-echo sequence, a FLAIR sequence, and a CISS sequence. In the qualitative analysis, three observers compared the five sequences for visibility of tumors and presence of artifacts. A quantitative analysis was also performed by measuring the contrast-to-noise ratio.

RESULTS: On visual assessment, the FLAIR sequence depicted all tumors as hyperintense relative to cerebrospinal fluid. The CISS sequence depicted all tumors as hypointense relative to cerebrospinal fluid and was considered to show tumor extension better than the FLAIR sequence. At quantitative analysis, the mean contrast-to-noise ratios of tumor to cerebrospinal fluid on T1-, T2-, and proton density-weighted images, and on FLAIR and CISS sequences were 2.85, 3.41, 4.42, 16.13, and 20.23, respectively. The contrast-to-noise ratios for the FLAIR and CISS sequences were significantly higher than those for the T1-, T2-, and proton density-weighted sequences. The contrast-to-noise ratio was not significantly different between FLAIR and CISS sequences, although the CISS sequence was slightly superior.

CONCLUSION: CISS and FLAIR sequences depicted epidermoid tumors in the subarachnoid spaces better than conventional spin-echo images did. The CISS sequence produced a relatively constant contrast between the tumors and less artifactual interference.