[Gradients of echo sequences with extended repetition time in the diagnosis of bone marrow changes in the spine].

Hitherto T1-weighted Spin-Echo-Sequences, most combined with T2-weighted sequences, were used to detect pathological bone marrow lesions. This method needs a long examination time and results in T2-images with a low morphological resolution. In the majority of examinations using Gradient-Echo-Sequences with prolonged repetition-times (FLASH: flip angle 40 degrees, TR/TE = 500/17 msec) there is no need of an additional measurement. Therefore these sequences save about 75% of the examination time and they give higher contrast between normal and pathological bone marrow.