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Radiology Acronyms 2002 [1]

Neuroradiology

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revolutionized imaging of the central nervous system (CNS), secondary to superb soft-tissue contrast and multiplanar capabilities. The various diagnostic pulse sequences developed sound like an alphabet soup.

CE-FAST

Contrast enhanced Fourier acquired steady state
CE-FFE T1 Contrast enhanced fast field echo (T1-weighted)
CE-FFE T2 Contrast enhanced fast field echo (T2-weighted)
DE FGR Driven equilibrium fast gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state
DWI
(GE & Siemens)

Diffusion-weighted imaging. A pulse sequence utilizing echoplanar imaging (EPI) that can identify acute stroke (within 3 hours) by evaluating restricted Brownian motion as the result of edema from the stroke. Intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy may be instituted based on the early diagnosis of ischemia.
E-SHORT Steady state gradient echo with spin echo sampling
FAST Fourier acquired steady state
FE Field echo
FEDIF Field echo with echo time set for water and fat signals in opposition
FEER Field even echo by reversal
FESUM Field echo with echo time set for water and fat signals in phase
FFE Fast field echo
FGR Fast gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state
FISP Fast imaging with steady precession
FLAIR
(GE & Siemens)		 Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. A heavily T2-weighted sequence with suppression of CSF signal, which increases conspicuity of brain lesions.
fMRI Functional magnetic resonance imaging. fMRI evaluates eloquent regions of the brain and aids in surgical planning for “resectability”.
FRE Field reversal echo
FS Fast scan
FSE Fast spin echo
FSE T2 (GE) &
TSE T2 (Siemens)		 Fast-spin-echo (FSE) and turbo-spin-echo (TSE) imaging. These T2-weighted images depict cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), edema, and most pathology as bright signal in the brain and other organs.
F-SHORT Steady state gradient echo based on free induction decay
FSPGR Fast spoiled gradient recalled
GDC Guglielmi detachable coils (Target Therapeutics, Freemont, CA). These coils are used to treat intracerebral aneurysms and arterial-venous malformations in a nonsurgical fashion deployed by a minimally invasive catheterization delivery system.
GE Gradient echo
GFE Gradient field echo
GFEC Gradient field echo with contrast
GRASE Gradient and spin echo
GRASS (GE) &
FLASH (Siemens)		 Gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state (GRASS) and fast low-angle shot (FLASH). These pulse sequences are utilized for their “myelographic” effect in imaging of the spine and for depicting blood products in the CNS.
GRE Gradient echo (as ‘generic’ name); gradient recalled echo
GREC Gradient field echo with contrast
GRECO Gradient recalled echo
IR FGR Inversion recovery fast gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state
MPGR Multiplanar gradient recalled
MP-RAGE Magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo
MRA and MRV Magnetic resonance arteriography and magnetic resonance venography. This noninvasive evaluation of arteries and veins in the head and neck allows detection of intracerebral aneurysms of > 3 mm, stenosis and dural sinus thrombosis.
MRS Magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This noninvasive examination of the brain evaluates metabolites in normal and abnormal brain based on hydrogen content and aids in diagnosing tumor, abscess, demyelination, and other brain abnormalities. Stimulated-echo acquisition mode (STEAM) and point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) are the major pulse sequences utilized.
PFI Partial flip imaging
PRESS Point-resolved spectroscopy. This is a “single-shot” method of obtaining MRS spectral data.
PS Partial saturation
PSIF Reverse fast imaging with steady precession
RAM-FAST Rapidly acquired magnetization prepared Fourier acquired steady state
RARE Rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement
RF-FAST RF spoiled Fourier acquired steady state
RF-spoiled RF spoiled Fourier acquired
ROAST Resonant offset averaging in the steady state
RS Rapid scan
SHORT Short repetition technique
SMASH Short minimum angle shot
SPGR Spoiled gradient recalled
SSFP Steady state free precession
STAGE Small tip angle gradient echo
STAGE:T1W Small tip angle gradient echo: T1-weighted
STERF Steady state technique with refocused free induction decay
TFE ‘Turbo’-field echo
3D MP RAGE 3-D magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo
T1 FAST Fourier acquired steady state (T1-weighted)
T1 FFE Contrast enhanced FFE (T1-weighted)
T2 FFE Contrast enhanced FFE (T2-weighted)
TRUE FISP Fast imaging with steady precession (heavily T2-weighted)
TSE ‘Turbo’ spin echo
Turbo-FE ‘Turbo’ field echo
Turbo-FLASH ‘Turbo’-fast low angle shot
Turbo-SE ‘Turbo’ spin echo
Turbo-SHORT ‘Turbo’ short repetition technique

  1. Chaljub G, Shah RK, LaForte R, Ernst RD, Cesani F, Walser EM. Radiology acronyms 2002. November 2002 Applied Radiology; pg.21

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