Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39841203›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology2025

Improved detection of brain metastases using contrast-enhanced 3D black-blood TSE sequences compared to post-contrast 3D T1 GRE: a comparative study on 1.5-T MRI.

Zhao Hui Chen Zhou, Elena Salvador Álvarez, Amaya Hilario, Agustín Cárdenas Del Carre, Juan Romero Coronado, Carmen Lechuga, Ana Martínez de Aragón, Ana Ramos González

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in European radiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Zhao Hui Chen ZhouNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. zhaohui.chen@salud.madrid.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0248-1066
Elena Salvador ÁlvarezNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Amaya HilarioNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Agustín Cárdenas Del CarreNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Juan Romero CoronadoNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Carmen LechugaNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Ana Martínez de AragónNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Ana Ramos GonzálezNeuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesBrain metastases are the most common intracranial malignancy in adults, and their detection is crucial for treatment planning. Post-contrast 3D T1 gradient-recalled echo (GRE) sequences are commonly used for this purpose, but contrast-enhanced 3D T1 turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequences with motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (MSDE) technique ("black blood") may offer improved detection. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced 3D black blood sequences to standard 3D T1 GRE sequences in detecting brain metastases on a 1.5-T MRI. MATERIALS AND

methodsA retrospective analysis of 183 patients with suspected or follow-up brain metastases between May 2022 and September 2023 was conducted. Among these patients, 107 were included in the final analysis. Both post-contrast 3D T1 GRE and 3D black blood sequences were acquired on the same scanner with similar acquisition times. Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated the images for the number, size, and location of metastases. Interobserver variability and statistical analysis were performed.

resultsAmong the 107 patients (mean age 60.8 years ± 13.2 years; 55 males, 52 females), 3D black blood sequences detected a significantly higher number of brain metastases, particularly small lesions (< 5 mm), compared to 3D T1 GRE sequences (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in detecting large metastases (≥ 5 mm) between the sequences. In addition, the black blood sequences provided better conspicuity of metastases in the majority of patients (85%).

conclusionContrast-enhanced 3D T1 TSE with MSDE ("black blood") sequences offer improved detection of brain metastases, especially small lesions, on 1.5-T MRI compared to standard 3D T1 GRE sequences. KEY POINTS: Question Accurate identification of the number and location of brain metastases using MRI is essential for planning and managing effective treatment. Findings Contrast-enhanced 3D T1 TSE black blood sequences detected significantly more small brain metastases than standard 3D T1 GRE sequences on 1.5-T MRI. Clinical relevance The use of 3D black blood sequences on 1.5-T MRI may have the potential to improve the accuracy of detection of brain metastases, leading to better treatment planning and potentially improved patient outcomes.

Indexed as

Brain NeoplasmsContrast MediaImaging, Three-DimensionalMagnetic Resonance ImagingAdultAgedFemaleHumansImage EnhancementMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesContrast MediaBrain metastasesMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Magnetization transfer contrastSpin echo imaging

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.