Ultra-High Contrast (UHC) MRI of White Matter Surrounding Cerebral Tumours Using Divided Subtracted Inversion Recovery Sequences

Motivation: Ultra-high contrast (UHC) divided subtracted inversion recovery (dSIR) sequences were used to observe white matter surrounding cerebral tumours in a proof-of-concept study. Goal(s): To compare dSIR imaging with conventional T2-weighted spin echo and T2-FLAIR imaging. Approach: Directly acquired and synthetic 2D and 3D narrow and wide middle Domain dSIR images were compared with positionally matched conventional images. Results: Widespread bilateral symmetrical abnormal increases in signal with relative sparing of the central corpus callosum were seen in white matter with dSIR sequences. There was no change from normal apparent in these areas with conventional sequences. Impact: Ultra-high contrast (UHC) divided subtracted inversion recovery (dSIR) sequences were applied to patients with cerebral tumours to observe changes in surrounding white matter. Widespread bilateral symmetrical abnormalities were seen in white matter which appeared normal with conventional imaging.