Constructive interference in steady state imaging in the central nervous system

Abstract

Constructive interference in steady state (CISS) is a fully refocused fast-gradient echo sequence that is mainly used in the assessment of the central nervous system. The most important advantages of steady-state imaging are short acquisition times, high signal-to-noise ratio, and better contrast-to-noise ratio. Owing to its cisternographic effect, CISS is useful in the assessment of the cranial nerves, and can also be used when studying cysts, cystic masses, and neurocysticercosis and in hydrocephalus cases. CISS has been shown to be useful in spinal imaging, epecially in cases of arteriovenous malformation and when it is helpful to better characterise intra- and extramedullary cystic abnormalities. © TOUCH BRIEFINGS 2011.