MRI

[Kmrad at AOL.COM]

Stu,
Were images acquired on a GE, Siemens or a Picker unit?  Was it done on a
high field (e.g. 1.5T) or on a open unit? Every manufacture has different
acronoymns for similar pulse sequences and as I am most familar with GE (and
to a lesser degree with Siemens), MPGR is not something that GE uses.
Nevertheless, it sounds like a fast SPGR (spoiled gradient reversal) or some
other variant of an SPGR; or a version of the MP-RAGE (magnetization prepared
rapid acquisition gradient echo).  The SPGR sequences give better contrast to
noise and permits better contrast between tissues by changing the effective
T1.  I doubt that it's an IR type of sequence (the MP-RAGE) - which provides
heavily T1 weighted images, and when used in combination with fast
acquisition sequences, offsets the unfavorable tissue contrasts associated
with some of the fast sequences.  Is there a TI parameter listed in the
image? - if there is, then it is an IR sequence.  It really wouldn't be
necessary to add an IR sequence for routine imaging of the TMJs, and even
adding an SPGR sequence isn't routinely necessary - does the patient have a
mass?

Best regards,

Kristine Mosier DMD, Ph.D.
Dept. of Radiology
UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School
UH C-320
150 Bergen St.
Newark, NJ
07103-2406
(973) 972 - 2951
(973) 972 - 3164 FAX
email: kmrad at aol.com