FLAIR2 is 12th most-read article on AJNR

Our novel technique for improved detection of white matter lesions, FLAIR2, has been popular with researchers. It is currently (September 2016)  the 17th most read paper in the American Journal of Neuroradiology.

By combining co-registered 3D-FLAIR and 3D-T2 scans, we have developed a technique, which enhances multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion contrast while maintaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suppression. FLAIR and T2 are already part of the standard imaging protocol for MS, while the acquisition of double inversion recovery (DIR) is strongly debated. DIR has been proposed as the gold standard for MS lesion detection, with a particular advantage for cortical lesions, however, the strong signal loss resulting for the suppression of white matter and CSF hampers lesion identification. We believe that FLAIR2 may suffice for MS lesion detection and additional scan time invested in DIR and other 2D imaging sequences may be saved. We see this as an opportunity to increase image quality of the conventional MR scans without the typical trade-off towards longer scan time.