SEQUENCE FOR PHILIPS

Regular sequence such as spin echo or turbo spin echo is extensively covered in literature and is therefore not discussed
here. The nomenclature of sequence difference from other unit or the sequence special to Philips will be discussed below:

Modified Spin Echo (MSE):

MSE is available for single echo scans. It will improve image quality in short-TR SE scans. A TR well below 100ms is
possible. When MSE is selected, the spin echo pulse is followed by an additional flip back pulse, thus realigning the
longitudinal magnetization with the direction of the main magnetic field. The flip-back pulse is invoked automatically.

SPIR:
SPIR (Spectral Presaturation with Inversion Recovery) provides images without fat signals. The method consists of a
standard imaging sequence preceded by a spectrally-selective inversion pulse, which the precession frequency approach
fat rahter than water proton, eliminate the fat signal. The nomenclature for Siemens is Fat Saturation.

Fast Field Echo (FFE)

The terms“Field echo” is equal to the “Gradient Echo” as named by Siemens. This is primitively a non-steady atate
imaging with a fast TR and small flip excitation angle. This basic gradient echo sequence is identical in structure to the
original FLASH (Fast Low Angle Short) sequence proposed by Haase et al. We should note, however, the “FLASH”
sequence offered as a product by Siemens has undergone several modifications and thus no longer be classified as a
basic gradient echo sequence.
The TR of FFE ranges from 300 to 500ms and varying the TE(5-30) and flip angle (20-60) can actually can produce T1W
and T2W effect. This non-steady state T2W FFE sequence always used for producing a T2* contrast for vertebral disc
imaging and flow void free image for spine imaging.

T1 CE-FFE
When the TR is below 100ms in FFE sequence, steady atate of magnetization is established and thus FID, spin echo
and stimulated echo are produced. When T1 is selected in contrast enhancement item, the spoiler will be enable and
destroy spin echo and stimulated echo. FID is leaving for acquisition. The update terms for Siemens is FLASH. The
application for T1 CE-FFE includes time of flight MRA and 3D-volume acquisition of joint.

T2 CE-FFE
When T2 is selected in the contrast enhancement item, the rewinder works before phase encoding step. The sampling
becomes stimulated echo/spin echo, this is actually the same as reverse FISP “PSIF” in Siemens. The only clinical
application for T2 CE-FFE is to differentiate arachoid cycts and dermoid cyst.

Turbo Field Echo (TFE)

TFE sometime decribes as magnetization prepared gradient echo in MR physics book or named as Turbo FLASH in
Siemens nomenclature. It is simply a basic gradient echo sequence run with very short TR (~6ms) and TE, preceded by
a contrast preparation prepulse. T1W TFE can be archived by using an inversion prepulse (180 degree) or saturation
prepulse (120 degree). By changing the preparatory period to 90-180-90 degree set of pulses, T2W TFE can be obtained
but this sequence is extremely sensitive to motion.

Grase
Grase is Gradient and Spin Echo, which is a combination of Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) and Echo Planar Imaging (EPI). Its
appearance is more like a Spin Echo T2 weighted image than TSE but the scan time is shorter.