Comparison of lesion detection performance between 3D high-resolution isotropic MRI using MIXTURE and conventional 2D-TSE in knee joints

Motivation: Cartilage degeneration can be evaluated non-invasively by quantitative T2 mapping MRI. However, clinical knee joint MRI requires multiple contrasts to diagnose various diseases, and T2 mapping for quantitative evaluation must be additionally performed. Goal(s): To evaluate the lesion detection performance between 2D-TSE and 3D MIXTURE in clinical knee MRI. Approach: MIXTURE is a 3D TSE that can set arbitrary echo times using the T2 preparation pulses, and enables several image contrasts and T2 mapping by acquiring at least two echo time images. Results: With regard to the lesion depiction, 3D MIXTURE and conventional 2D TSE were considered comparable with equivalent diagnostic confidence. Impact: MIXTURE can acquire morphological and quantitative images in a single scan. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the morphological images. We will clarify the diagnostic accuracy of MIXTURE by comparing it with the conventional 2D-TSE method for knee joints.