Comparative study of FLAIR and T_2-weighted SE sequence in evaluation of cerebral space-occupying lesion

Objective:To study and compare the sensitivity between FLAIR and T 2 weighted spin echo sequence in detection of cerebral space occupying lesion.Methods:64 cases with brain space occupying lesion were studied with FLAIR and T 2 weighted SE sequence.The ability of FLAIR sequence and T 2 weighted sequence in the detection of cerebral space occupying lesion were analysed and compared.Results:①In 64 cases with cerebral space occupying lesion,109 lesions were detected on T 2 weighted images while 124 lesions were detected on FLAIR images,there was no significant difference between both sequences ( P 0.05).②In 12 cases with cerebral metastasis,57 lesions were demonstrated on T 2 weighted images while 72 lesions on FLAIR images.FLAIR sequence was more sensitive than T 2 weighted sequence ( P 0.05).③The internal structure,margin and perifocal edema of 109 tumor lesions were better demonstrated on FLAIR images than on T 2 weighted images ( P 0.01).Conclusion:FLAIR sequence is superior to T 2 weighted images in detection of cerebral metastatic lesions and in demonstration of the margin,extent and internal structure of cerebral tumor.FLAIR may be regarded as an useful complementary technique to the conventional imaging sequences.