Utility of three dimension fast asymmetric spin‐echo (3D‐FASE) sequences in MR sialographic sequences: model and volunteer studies

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of 3D-FASE for the visualization of salivary gland ducts for use in MR sialographic sequences. METHODS: We compared MR sialographic images and virtual endoscopic views from 3D-FASE with those from three kinds of sequences described by previous reports in a 3D parotid gland duct model and volunteer. The four sequences were two-dimension fast spin-echo (2D-FSE), three-dimension fast spin-echo (3D-FSE), two-dimension fast asymmetric spin-echo (2D-FASE), and three-dimension fast asymmetric spin-echo (3D-FASE). RESULTS: In the 3D parotid gland duct model, image visibility on visual score was clearest with 3D-FSE, followed by 3D-FASE (P = 0.028). In the volunteers, the visualization of images improved in the following order: 3D-FASE > 3D-FSE > 2D-FSE > 2D-FASE. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of 3D-FASE sequencing is more suitable and useful for MR sialography with an appropriate acquisition time.