Introduction: T2 weighted pulse sequences are an essential part of MR imaging of the abdomen. Motion artefacts on MR images are caused by patient’s movements, or movement of abdominal structures due to respiration, vascular pulsation and bowel peristalsis. Several different techniques which reduce or completely eliminate such artefacts have been developed. Purpose: The purpose is to determine which of the three T2 TSE pulse sequences with different techniques of data acquisition can produce technically the best image. Three T2 TSE free-breathing pulse sequences with respiratory gating, with PACE and BLADE techniques were compared and picture quality was evaluated. Methods: 29 paediatric patients with a mean age of 7,8 years were included in the research. Besides standard pulse sequences, which includes T2 TSE pulse sequence with respiratory gating in transverse plane, also two other sequences with PACE and BLADE techniques were added. Obtained images were evaluated by 2 independent radiologists according to the 4-point scale evaluating 7 different parameters and overall score of image. Results: Best rated pulse sequence in most of the evaluation parameters, was sequence with respiratory gating, which is also confirmed by overall grade of all evaluation parameters. Statistical comparison did not show any significant differences between the technique with respiratory gating and PACE technique, while the comparison of respiratory gating and BLADE technique, as well as PACE and BLADE technique, reveals statistically significant differences between them. Considering the time of acquisitions, respiratory gated sequence was measured as shortest and PACE technique was measured as longest. Discussion and conclusion: Because of simple detection of the respiratory cycle, the respiratory gated technique has been proved to be very useful and quick technique in abdominal imaging in childhood. Since the accuracy of the diaphragmatic motion gating is combined with irregular breathing, more artefacts on PACE sequence were shown. For the same reason, acquisition time was extended. BLADE technique without synchronized breathing cycle was not suitable in children abdominal MR imaging. Taking into consideration the grades and acquisition time, the pulse sequence with respiratory gating is proven to be the most optimal in clinical use.
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