MR-guided biopsies with an ultrafast high-resolution T-2-weighted turbo spin echo sequence ''LoLo'': First clinical results

Purpose: The feasability of the ''LoLo''-technique for MR guidance of biopsy procedures was tested. Material and Methods: MR-guided biopsies were performed on 10 patients employing a 1.5 T system, The ''Lolo''-technique used is a single shot turbo spin echo technique. Only a small field of view is covered in order to yield images with a resolution of 1 mm(2) in 600 ms. The orthogonal orientation of the slice selective radio frequency pulses to each other prevents foldover artifacts. Results: No complications occurred. All biopsy procedures yielded sufficient material to diagnose the underlying disease. The ''LoLo''-technique enabled good depiction of the needle tip in all cases. T-2-weighted contrast typical for turbo spin echo images was observed. No foldover artifacts were detectable. Conclusion: MR-guided biopsies are possible with the ''LoLo''-technique. Compared to gradient echo sequences T-2-weighting and smaller susceptibility artifacts proved to be advantageous.