MR增强后液体衰减反转恢复序列对脑转移瘤的诊断价值

目的 分析MR增强后液体衰减反转恢复(fluid attenuated inversion recovery,FLAIR)序列对脑转移瘤的诊断价值. 资料与方法 确诊恶性肿瘤可疑有脑转移患者159例.MR检查除常规平扫和增强外,在增强后加扫FLAIR序列,图像由3名有经验的放射科医师评估. 结果 58例有脑内转移,6例增强后FLAIR脑实质病灶数目显示较增强T1WI多,11例病灶强化较T1WI明显;在11例柔脑膜转移者中,7例病灶强化程度优于增强后T1WI. 结论 增强后FLAIR是增强后T1WI的有效补充,对脑内小病灶和脑膜病灶更敏感.     

MR增强FLAIR序列在儿童脑膜病变诊断中的应用价值

目的分析儿童脑膜异常强化病变的MRI特征,探讨增强液体衰减反转恢复(FLAIR)序列对此类疾病的诊断价值。资料与方法对28例脑膜异常强化病变患儿行常规MR平扫及增强检查,增强检查为注入对比剂后行T1WI及FLAIR扫描。所获图像由三名有经验的影像诊断医师进行评估。结果增强FLAIR序列对脑膜病变的显示较敏感,同时可以将强化的皮层静脉及静脉窦正确区分,并可显示脑脊液的强化,但对于伴有脑实质内微小病灶的显示具有一定的局限性。结论增强FLAIR序列对目前广泛使用的增强T1WI具有较强的补充作用,联合使用能明显提高诊断的准确性。     

增强后液体衰减反转恢复序列MRI在颅内肿瘤诊断中的应用

目的 评价增强后液体衰减反转恢复序列（FLAIR）在颅内肿瘤诊断中的应用价值。方法 104例颅内肿瘤，经手术、病理证实共有病灶124个。分别行增强前、后T1WI和FLAIR扫描。由2名有经验的放射科医生对所有病例进行评价。评价内容包括：增强例数、增强病灶个数及强化病灶部位；对比度及增强率；病变大小和范围。结果行统计学分析。结果 104例中，增强后FLAIR（CEFLAIR）成像、增强SE T1WI（CET1WI）均显示98例有强化。CEFLAIR成像检出了117个强化灶，CE T1W1检出了120个。4个病灶仅在CEFLAIR显示而CET1WI未显示。另有7个病灶仅在CET1WI显示而CEFLAIR未显示。两者之信噪比（SNR）差异无统计学意义（t=1．10，P=0．270），脑灰白质对比度（GMC）、对比噪声比（CNR）及强化率（CER）差异均有统计学意义（t值分别为2．46、7．10、9．67，P值分别为0．015、0．000、0．000）。在显示病灶大小上，CEFLAIR成像明显大于CET1WI（t=4．13，P=0．000），在病灶范围上，有62例CEFLAIR成像较CET1WI大。CEFLAIR成像对位于脑沟、凸面、侧脑室旁及侧脑室内病灶的检出优于CET1WI，而对大脑半球及第四脑室内的病灶的显示不如CET1WI。结论 CEFLAIR成像与CET1WI比较，强化病灶数，两者无明显差别，强化程度CET1WI明显高于CEFLAIR成像，但两者对不同部位病灶的显示有明显差异，CEFLAIR成像显示病灶大小和范围明显大于CET1WI。两种序列相互补充，建议将CEFLAIR成像序列列为增强后常规序列。     

增强液体衰减反转恢复序列在脑膜瘤诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨增强液体衰减反转恢复(FLAIR)序列在诊断脑膜瘤中的价值. 资料与方法 38例脑膜瘤患者行增强T1WI和FLAIR成像,比较两种序列增强图像上脑膜瘤的强化方式、"脑膜尾征"的显示、肿瘤强化程度、肿瘤与白质及肿瘤与灰质的对比率(CR)和对比噪声比(CNR). 结果 38例中25例(65.8%)在增强FLAIR上呈环状强化,而增强T1WI上仅7例(18.4%)呈环状强化."脑膜尾征"在增强FLAIR和增强T1WI上的显示率分别为36.8%和47.4%.肿瘤在增强FLAIR和增强T1WI上强化程度分别为57.0和301.3,两者间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001).增强FLAIR和增强T1WI上肿瘤与灰质CR分别为0.9和1.5,两种序列上肿瘤与白质的CNR分别为50.6和72.6,肿瘤与灰质CNR则为44.3和80.1,两种序列间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.001).肿瘤与白质CR在两种序列间无差异. 结论 增强FLAIR有助于脑膜瘤包膜的显示和判断,但在显示肿瘤本身及"脑膜尾征"上不及增强T1WI.     

平扫FLAIR、增强T1WI和增强FLAIR对柔脑膜病变诊断价值的比较

目的 比较平扫FLAIR、增强T1WI及增强FLAIR 3种序列对柔脑膜病变的诊断价值.方法 26例柔脑膜病变行平扫FLAIR、增强T1WI和增强FLAIR检查.结果 病变呈异常脑回样或线样高信号.增强FLAIR显示全部病变,增强T1WI仅显示13例病变,平扫FLAIR仅显示11例病变.对病变显示的统计学分析显示3种序列间具有高度显著性差别(χ2=29.346,P＜0.01).结论 增强FLAIR显示柔脑膜病变,尤其是早期病变优于平扫FLAIR和增强T1WI.     

液体衰减反转恢复序列MR成像在颅脑创伤诊断中价值的研究

目的评价MR液体衰减反转恢复序列(fluid-attenuated inversion recovery,FLAIR)诊断各种颅脑创伤病变的价值.方法22例颅脑创伤病例均进行了CT和MR T1WI、T2WI及FLAIR序列检查,CT与MR检查的时间间隔为4.6±3.7天.观察CT与三种MR序列上各种病变病灶的显示数,将FLAIR所见的结果分别与CT、T1WI及T2WI结果作统计学分析(t检验).结果22例共有100个颅内创伤病灶,CT检出率为25%,T1WI为49%,T2WI为71%,FLAIR检出率为100%,差异显著(P<0.0005).其中FLAIR对非出血性脑挫伤的显示效果最佳,优于其它三种技术(P<0.0005);对于出血性挫伤,FLAIR优于CT(P<0.0025),但与T1WI及T2WI无明显差别;FLAIR对硬膜下/硬膜外血肿的发现能力与其它三种技术相似,对硬膜下积液的显示优于CT(P<0.0025),与T1WI及T2WI则无显著差异;FLAIR对亚急性期的蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)的显示能力超过CT和T2WI(P<0.05),但CT与FLAIR对急性SAH的显示能力一致.结论FLAIR序列能明显地改善颅脑创伤性病变的显示,优于CT和常规MRI技术,其中以非出血性挫伤和亚急性期的SAH效果最佳.FLAIR序列可作为颅脑创伤检查的常规手段.     

磁共振短时间反转恢复序列联合液体衰减反转恢复序列对视神经炎的诊断价值

目的 探讨短时间反转恢复序列(STIR)联合液体衰减反转恢复序列(FLAIR)对视神经炎(ON)的诊断价值。方法 对2014年1月至2022年8月在我院确诊的86例ON患者行磁共振扫描,包括冠状面STIR序列、STIR-FLAIR序列及增强T₁加权成像(T₁WI)序列,对比和评价STIR序列、STIR-FLAIR序列对ON的诊断效果。结果 STIR序列、STIR-FLAIR序列对显示视神经病变高信号一致性良好(κ_STIR=0.812,κ_STIR-FLAIR=0.869);STIR-FLAIR序列显示ON病变范围为(17±5)mm,明显大于STIR序列显示的(13±5)mm (t=5.60,P<0.001);STIR-FLAIR序列的标准信号强度(Sn)、ON病变信号强度/同侧眼眶内脂肪信号强度(SON/SI_fat)及SON/对侧视神经信号强度(SON/SCON)指标均明显高于STIR序列(t值分别为2.02、5.23、6.08,P<0.001);对比2种序列的...     

3.0T MR多片技术双反转恢复序列对膝关节滑膜病变的诊断价值

【摘要】目的：探讨3.0T MR多片技术双反转恢复序列（MS-DIR）对膝关节滑膜病变的诊断价值。方法：搜集经关节镜及病理证实的膝关节滑膜病变患者38例,回顾性对比分析其术前膝关节增强扫描序列（T1WI-FS-CE）与MS-DIR序列影像资料,评估T1WI-FS-CE与MS-DIR序列图像在均匀度、病变显示、滑膜厚度测量值等方面的一致性。结果：38例膝关节滑膜病变MS-DIR序列均表现为稍高-高信号;MS-DIR与T1WI-FS-CE序列图像在均匀度方面差异有统计学意义(Z=-7.803,P＜0.001),在滑膜显示程度及图像整体质量上差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);两种序列对图像主观评价有较高的一致性（K值分别为0.684、0.841）;两种序列相同层面、位置的滑膜厚度测量值有较好的一致性（＜95% LoA）。结论:3.0T MR MS-DIR序列与对比增强序列在膝关节滑膜病变的整体图像质量、细微结构显示、滑膜厚度测量方面有较高的一致性,MS-DIR序列结合常规序列扫描可用于膝关节滑膜病变的筛查与治疗后评估。     

颅内胶质瘤柔脑膜扩散的MR影像学研究

目的 探讨颅内胶质瘤柔脑膜扩散的ＭＲ影像学特征。为临床治疗及估计预后提供参考。方法 共集颅人胶质瘤９４５例,其中星形细胞瘤６２０例,多形成胶质细胞溜３２５例,对其中具有柔脑扩散的７２例胶质瘤的临床及ＭＲＩ资料进行回顾性分析。结果 ７２例具有柔脑膜扩散的胶质瘤中,星形细胞瘤２９例,多形成胶质细胞瘤４３例,柔脑膜发生率分别为４．７％和１３．２％。颅内胶瘤中,星形细胞瘤２９例,多形成胶质细胞瘤４３例,柔     

液体衰减反转恢复序列在腹部及盆腔疾病应用价值的探讨

目的：探讨液体衰减反转恢复（fluid—attenuated inversion recovery，FLAIR）序列与其他序列搭配在腹部疾患应用的临床价值，并初步评价其适用范围。方法：对90例患者共226个病灶进行定性，按常规扫描方法加上FLAIR序列进行检查，之后根据需要按照下列步骤进行扫描：①行质子像（PDW）；②多回波成像；③仅有46例患者行静脉注射Gd-DTPA增强扫描。结果：所有病灶应用FLAIR后T2W均有变化；85例为降低，仅5例升高，经FLAIR后病灶依信号强度分为高、等、低3种。分别为23个（10．2％）；65个（28．8％）；138个（61．1％）。有175个病灶FLAIR明确诊断．占77．4％．22个行质子像，多回波成像定性。46例经增强扫描确定性质。低信号病灶均为囊性病变或液体，等信号病灶均为良性病变，增强前后应用FLAIR测量的T2值具有统计学意义。结论：在结果判定上以低信号组病例最具有诊断意义。等信号组均为良性病变。高信号组解释较为复杂。     

经鼓室注射对比剂内耳增强三维快速液体衰减反转恢复MR检查诊断梅尼埃病

目的 采用经鼓膜穿刺鼓室内注入对比剂钆、内耳三维快速液体衰减反转恢复(3D-FLAIR) MR扫描,探讨3D-FLAIR序列内耳内淋巴显像的可行性及对梅尼埃病的诊断价值.方法 19例经临床确诊的单侧梅尼埃病患者双侧耳均经鼓膜穿刺鼓室内注入Gd-DTPA稀释液,24 h后行3D-FLAIR和三维平衡快速梯度回波(3D-Balance-FFE) MR扫描,观察双侧耳蜗、前庭和(或)半规管外淋巴间隙的增强显影情况,对双侧耳蜗底转鼓阶和前庭阶分别进行评分,对双侧前庭显影范围和前庭及同层面脑干的信号强度比分别进行测量和计算,分别采用Wilcoxon符号秩检验和配对样本t检验进行统计学分析.结果 所有患者内耳3D-FLAIR MRI均显示,对比剂广泛分布于耳蜗、前庭和(或)半规管的外淋巴间隙内,可以清晰对比显示内淋巴间隙.19例患者患侧耳蜗底转前庭阶评2分3例,1分9例,0分7例,健侧耳蜗底转前庭阶评2分15例,1分2例,0分2例,二者比较差异有统计学意义(U=3.090,P＜0.05);患侧与健侧前庭显影范围分别为(5.77±2.33) mm2和(8.11±3.32) mm2,二者比较差异有统计学意义(t =2.638,P＜0.05).结论 运用经鼓膜穿刺鼓室内注入对比剂钆、24 h后行内耳3D-FLAIR MR扫描的方法,基于3D-Balance-FFE MRI,根据外淋巴间隙增强显影情况,可以区分内、外淋巴间隙的边界,推断出膜迷路积水,为梅尼埃病的诊断提供影像依据.     

磁共振动态增强、扩散加权成像联合应用对乳腺病变的诊断价值

目的：探讨单一磁共振动态增强扫描诊断试验、扩散加权成像诊断试验及其联合应用对乳腺病变定性诊断的敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比,比较其诊断效能。方法：对临床拟诊肿块的患者37例,同时进行动态增强扫描和扩散加权成像检查,均获得手术和病理证实,其中良性病灶18个,恶性病灶19个。对病变的边缘、形态特征、动态增强表现及时间一信号强度曲线采用评分法对病变性质分恶性、可疑恶性及良性三组进行判断。参照动态增强病变位置确定扩散图像病变所在,描记扩散图像上病变的感兴趣区,由软件计算获得表观扩散系数（ADC）值。对获取数据进行统计分析,采用t检验统计学方法进行良性和恶性ADC值比较。联合动态增强扫描和ADC值,采用评分法根据积分情况进行综合定性诊断。比较动态增强扫描、DWI ADC值及联合应用对乳腺病变定性诊断效能。结果：动态增强扫描（病灶边缘、形态学表现结合时间-信号强度曲线）诊断乳腺病变的敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比分别为89．5％、72．2％和3．221、0．146。良性病变组ADC值1．474±0．441（×100^-3mm^2／s）,恶性病变组ADC值1．082±0．160（×10^-3mm^2／s）,两者间有显著统计学差异（P=0．002,〈0．05）。ADC值诊断敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比分别为94．7％、66．7％和2．842、0．079。动态增强扫描和DWI-ADC值联合诊断的敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比分别为94．7％、83．3％和5．684、0．063。结论：磁共振动态增强、扩散加权成像联合应用对乳腺病变的定性诊断敏感性、特异性、阳性似然比、阴性似然比均较单一动态增强扫描或扩散成像诊断效能强。     

胰岛素瘤的MRI诊断

目的：研究磁共振成像对胰岛素瘤的诊断价值。方法：16例手术证实的胰岛素瘤患者于术前行MR检查,扫描序列包括快速自旋回波序列T1W、T2W及脂肪抑制T1W、T2W。结果：16例均能准确检出,10例呈长T1低信号,13例显示不同程度的长T2高信号,T1及T2抑脂图像肿瘤同胰腺的信号对比增强,显示更为清晰。结论：应用MR快速成像技术和脂肪抑制序列,能够对胰岛素瘤进行较精确的定位诊断。     

椎基底动脉延长扩张症的FLAIR影像分析

目的：探讨在椎基底动脉延长扩张症（VBD）患者 FLAIR 序列中血管高信号征（FVH）的特征及其意义。方法：2011年1月－2015年4月本院确诊的49例 VBD 患者,所有患者均行 MRI 常规检查及 TOF-MRA 检查,按照临床表现分为后循环缺血组（18例）及非后循环缺血组（31例）,比较两组临床资料及影像表现的差异,并分析 FVH 征的临床意义。结果：49例 VBD 患者中,36例（73．5％）血管 FVH 征阳性。其中,22例（44．9％）表现为1级,11例表现为2级（22．4％）,3例（6．1％）表现为3级,后循环缺血组 FVH 评分较高者（2或3级）的构成比显著高于非后循环缺血组（55．6％ vs 12．9％,χ2＝11．493,P ＝0．009）。VBD 患者的 FVH 分级与基底动脉（BA）直径、长度及 BA 横向偏移之间具有低度相关性（r＝0．473,P ＝0．001;r＝0．483,P ＜0．001;r＝0．542,P ＜0．001）。结论：VBD 患者 FVH 征阳性率高,其形成机制可能与 BA 血流缓慢有关,且高级别 FVH（2或3级）的出现可以提示 VBD 患者发生后循环缺血的可能性较大。     

Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR imaging of intracranial metastases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postcontrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging effectively depicts parenchymal and leptomeningeal metastases, as reported in limited patient groups. We compared postcontrast T1-weighted (T1W) and FLAIR imaging in a larger group. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with known malignancy and suspected cranial metastases underwent axial FLAIR and spin-echo T1W imaging with and then without intravenous gadopentetate dimeglumine. Postcontrast images were compared for lesion conspicuity and enhancement, number of parenchymal metastases, and extension of leptomeningeal-cisternal metastases. RESULTS: Parenchymal metastases were demonstrated in 33 patients. Compared with T1W images, postcontrast FLAIR images showed more metastases in five patients, an equal number in 20, and fewer lesions in eight. Regarding lesion conspicuity, postcontrast FLAIR imaging was superior in five patients, equal in one, and inferior in 27. For enhancement, FLAIR imaging was superior in five, equal in five, and inferior in 23. Superior FLAIR results for lesion number, conspicuity, and enhancement were observed in the same five patients; in these patients, FLAIR imaging was performed as the second postcontrast sequence. Eleven patients had leptomeningeal-cisternal metastases; lesion conspicuity, extension, and enhancement were superior on postcontrast FLAIR images in eight. In five of eight patients, FLAIR imaging was performed as the second postcontrast sequence. Four patients had cranial-nerve metastases; in three, postcontrast FLAIR imaging was superior for lesion conspicuity and extension. In two of these patients, FLAIR imaging was the second postcontrast sequence. CONCLUSION: Postcontrast FLAIR imaging is a valuable adjunct to postcontrast T1W imaging. Precontrast and postcontrast FLAIR imaging effectively delineates parenchymal metastases, particularly leptomeningeal-cisternal and cranial-nerve metastases.     

Contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging for leptomeningeal disease in children

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To develop an MR imaging method that improves detection of leptomeningeal disease when compared with the current reference standard, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. METHODS: We investigated the cases of 10 children who were at high risk of intracranial leptomeningeal disease (Sturge-Weber syndrome and medulloblastoma). The cases of Sturge-Weber syndrome were investigated by using one MR imaging examination, and the cases of medulloblastoma were investigated by using four MR imaging examinations performed over 18 months. In all cases, contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images were acquired in addition to the routine sequences. The parameters of the FLAIR sequence were chosen to maximize the T1 component of the signal intensity, to maximize detection of leptomeningeal enhancement. We made subjective and objective assessments of the presence and extent of leptomeningeal disease as shown on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images and contrast-enhanced FLAIR images. RESULTS: In three of the four cases of Sturge-Weber syndrome, the T1 and FLAIR sequences showed comparable extent of leptomeningeal enhancement. For one child, FLAIR images showed unexpected bilateral disease and more extensive leptomeningeal enhancement on the clinically suspected side. In four of six cases of medulloblastoma, no leptomeningeal enhancement was shown on any examinations during the 18-month period. In two cases, FLAIR images showed more extensive leptomeningeal enhancement when compared with T1-weighted images. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced FLAIR imaging seems to improve detection of leptomeningeal disease when compared with routine contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. This seems to be partly because of suppression of signal intensity from normal vascular structures on the surface of the brain by FLAIR, which allows easier visualization of abnormal leptomeninges. We think that these findings can be extrapolated to the investigation of leptomeningeal disease of all causes and at all ages.     

Role of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery in the diagnosis of meningitis: comparison with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) has shown promise in the detection of subarachnoid space disease. The exact role of FLAIR in the diagnosis of meningitis has not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate FLAIR in the detection of meningitis in comparison with contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (T1WI) in a blinded-reader study. We describe hyperintense sulci (HS) on FLAIR sequence in meningitis in relation to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein and effective echo time (TE). METHODS: Two observers blinded to clinical information reviewed magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with the diagnosis of meningitis and those of age-matched controls. The diagnosis was confirmed from chart review and CSF results. FLAIR images were obtained with 2 different TE values of 120 milliseconds and 150 milliseconds. FLAIR changes were correlated with CSF protein concentration and contrast-enhanced T1WI. RESULTS: Twenty-eight MR images of meningitis patients were reviewed. There were 23 abnormal MR images including 16 abnormal FLAIR scans with hyperintense sulci and 23 with leptomeningeal enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1WI. HS on FLAIR correlated with leptomeningeal enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1WI. Four viral and 1 bacterial meningitis had normal MR images (FLAIR and postcontrast TIWI). Two different TE values were used: 120 milliseconds (n = 15) and 150 milliseconds (n = 13). All patients with effective TE of 150 milliseconds. and CSF protein of more than 132 mg/dL had hyperintense sulci whereas patients with effective TE of 120 milliseconds and CSF protein of 257 mg/dL or more had HS. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of contrast-enhanced T1WI was higher than FLAIR. HS on FLAIR correlated with contrast enhancement on T1WI. However, the sensitivity of FLAIR depends on CSF protein concentration threshold for (CSF hyperintensity) for a given effective TE. FLAIR cannot replace contrast-enhanced T1WI in diagnosing meningitis.     

Diagnosis of acute ischaemic stroke with fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and diffusion-weighted sequences

We evaluated the feasibility and use of diffusion-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery pulse sequences performed as an emergency for patients with acute ischaemic stroke. A 5-min MRI session was designed as an emergency diagnostic procedure for patients admitted with suspected acute ischaemic stroke. We reviewed routine clinical implementation of the procedure, and its sensitivity and specificity for acute ischaemic stroke over the first 8 months. We imaged 91 patients (80 min to 48 h following the onset of stroke). Clinical deficit had resolved in less than 3 h in 15 patients, and the remaining 76 were classified as stroke (59) or stroke-like (17) after hospital discharge. Sensitivity of MRI for acute ischaemic stroke was 98 %, specificity 100 %. MRI provided an immediate and accurate picture of the number, site, size and age of ischaemic lesions in stroke and simplified diagnosis in stroke-like episodes. The feasibility and high diagnostic accuracy of emergency MRI in acute stroke strongly support its routine use in a stroke centre. Received: 20 May 1999 Accepted: 2 August 1999     

磁共振扩散加权成像在乳腺病变诊断中的应用

目的：探讨单纯磁共振扩散加权成像对诊断乳腺病变的临床应用价值。方法：对临床拟诊为乳腺肿块的37例患者行磁共振扩散加权成像检查,并获得病理证实,其中良性病灶18个,恶性病灶19个。描记扩散图像上病变的兴趣区,由软件计算获得表观扩散系数（ADC）值。对获取数据进行统计分析,采用t检验对良性和恶性病变的ADC值进行比较。结果：12例良性病变在DWI上呈等信号或高信号,但ADC值升高或下降不明显,6例良性病变DWI上呈高信号,ADC值明显下降;19例恶性肿瘤DWI上呈高信号,ADC值明显下降。良性病变组ADC值为（1.474±0.441）×10^-3mm^2/s,恶性病变组ADC值为（1.082±0.160）×10^-3mm^2/s,两者间差异有显著性意义（P=0.002）。结论：MR扩散加权成像ADC值测量在乳腺病变定性诊断中有一定的辅助诊断价值。     

Postoperative fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR imaging of cerebral gliomas: initial results

Fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) imaging has shown to be a valuable imaging modality in the assessment of intra-axial brain tumors; however, no data are available about the role of this technique in the clinically important postoperative stage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of FLAIR MR imaging in residual tumor after surgical resection of cerebral gliomas. Fifteen patients with residual cerebral gliomas were examined within the first 18 days after partial surgical resection of cerebral gliomas. The imaging protocol included T1-weighted spin echo, T2- and proton-density-weighted fast spin echo, and FLAIR imaging with identical slice parameters. T1 and FLAIR were repeated after contrast media application. Detection and delineation of residual tumor were the primary parameters of the image analysis. Additionally, the influence of image artifacts on the image interpretation was assessed. On FLAIR images residual signal abnormalities at the border of the resection cavities were observed in all patients, whereas T2- and T1-weighted images present residual abnormalities in 13 of 15 and 10 of 15 patients, respectively. The FLAIR imaging was found to be superior to conventional imaging sequences in the delineation of these changes and comparable to contrast enhanced T1-weighted imaging in the delineation of residual enhancing lesions. Because of protein cell components and blood byproducts within the resection cavity, FLAIR imaging was unable to suppress the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 4 patients. After the decomposition of proteins and blood, CSF could again be completely suppressed and residual or recurrent tumors were clearly identified. Our preliminary study has shown that FLAIR may be a valuable diagnostic modality in the early postoperative MR imaging after resection of cerebral gliomas due to its better delineation of residual pathologic signal at the border of the resection cavity. It should therefore be integrated into the early and/or intraoperative MR imaging protocol.