Clinical value of fat-suppressed 3D volume isotropic spin-echo (VISTA) sequence compared to 2D sequence in evaluating internal structures of the knee

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although many three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences have been used in the clinical field, there are no studies on fat-suppressed (FS) 3D sequences for the diagnosis of knee abnormalities. PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of FS 3D volume isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (VISTA) imaging for diagnosis of internal structures of knee. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 137 patients with 138 knee MRI examinations who had undergone both FS 3D VISTA MRI and two-dimensional (2D) MRI of the knee at 3.0 T, arthroscopic surgery was subsequently performed. Multiplanar reformations (MPR) of FS 3D VISTA images and their MPR sequences were compared with 2D MR images of axial T1-weighted (T1W) images, axial FS T2-weighted (T2W) images, coronal FS T2W images, and sagittal T2W images. Two musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed the images independently. RESULTS: Arthroscopy revealed 33 anterior cruciate ligament tears, three posterior cruciate ligament tears, 42 lateral meniscus tears, and 68 medial meniscus tears. Five medial collateral ligament tears were clinically confirmed. Image acquisition time was shorter for FS 3D VISTA imaging than 2D imaging. There were no significant differences in diagnostic values between FS 3D VISTA and 2D imaging (P > 0.05). There were excellent inter-observer agreements for both FS 3D VISTA and 2D imaging (κ > 0.84). CONCLUSION: FS 3D VISTA imaging could replace 2D imaging because of equal diagnostic ability and shorter scan time.