Phase-sensitive inversion recovery

Last revised by Yahya Baba on 18 Dec 2021

Phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR), also known as phase-corrected inversion recovery (PCIR), refers to an inversion recovery MRI pulse sequence that accounts for the positive and negative polarities and preserves the information of tissue magnetization during the recovery from the initial 180° inversion pulse and factually doubles the dynamic range.

Tissues with more negative longitudinal magnetizations appear darker than those with less negative or more positive magnetizations.

Since the data is reconstructed with the obtained phase information, the images are less dependant on an optimized inversion time. However, the images will be even better if the inversion time is optimized nonetheless.

A drawback compared to other inversion recovery sequences which require selective nulling is its longer acquisition time.

Clinical applications

Phase-sensitive inversion recovery sequences have been used for the following 1-7:

  • cardiac MRI - late gadolinium enhancement 1-4
    • contrast-enhanced tissue always displays a higher signal than normal myocardium
    • less dependence on the inversion time
  • brain MRI - detection of lesions in multiple sclerosis 5-7
    • good contrast-to-noise ratio efficiency
    • can nicely detect cortical and spinal lesions which are of low signal intensity without contrast

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