Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery

Postcontrast FLAIR of a case of meningitis. It shows enhancement of meninges at the tentorium and in the parietal region, with evidence of dilated ventricles.

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) is a magnetic resonance imaging magnetic resonance imaging sequence with an inversion recovery set to null fluids. For example, it can be used in brain imaging to suppress cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) effects on the image, so as to bring out the periventricular hyperintense lesions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques. It was invented by Graeme Bydder, Joseph Hajnal, and Ian Young in the early 1990's. FLAIR can be used with both three-dimensional imaging (3D FLAIR) or two dimensional imaging (2D FLAIR).

Technique

By carefully choosing the inversion time (TI), the signal from any particular tissue can be nulled. The appropriate TI depends on the tissue via the formula:

${\textrm {TI}}=\ln(2)\cdot T_{1},\,$

in other words, one should typically use a TI of around 70% of the T₁ value. In the case of CSF suppression, one aims for T₁-weighted images, which prioritize the signal of fat over that of water. Therefore, if the long TI (inversion time) is adjusted to a zero crossing point for water (none of its signal is visible), the signal of the CSF is theoretically being "erased," from the derived image.

Clinical applications

The FLAIR sequence analysis has been especially useful in the evaluation and study of CNS disorders, involving:

• Lacunar infarction
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques
• Subarachnoid haemorrhage
• Head trauma
• Meningitis and other leptomeningeal diseases*

* Post-contrast FLAIR images have been added to diagnosis protocol for accurate medical assessment.

• 
  Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI image demonstrating tumor-related infiltration involving lenticular nuclei (Arrow).
• 
  Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI image demonstrating tumor-related infiltration involving both temporal lobes (Short arrow), and the substantia nigra (Long arrow).

See also

• Relaxation (NMR)

Further reading

• McRobbie DW, Moore EA, Graves MJ, Prince MR (April 2017). MRI from Picture to Proton. Cambridge University Press. pp. 40–42.
• Hashemi RH, Bradley Jr WG, Lisanti CJ (eds.). MRI: The Basics (2nd ed.). Philadelphia. p. 272.