Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Practice Test

T2 weighted FLAIR sequences are typically used for evaluating which condition?

1. Bone fractures

2. White matter disease

3. Soft tissue tumors

4. Fluid-filled cysts

The correct answer is: White matter disease

T2 weighted FLAIR (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) sequences are particularly effective for evaluating white matter disease. This imaging technique suppresses the signals from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), allowing for a clearer view of the surrounding brain tissue, particularly in cases where white matter changes may be present. White matter disease, which encompasses conditions such as multiple sclerosis, leuk malacia, and small vessel disease, often manifests as hyperintense lesions or abnormalities in the white matter on T2-weighted images. By using FLAIR sequences, radiologists can more accurately identify these lesions without the masking effect of bright CSF, leading to better diagnosis and management of these conditions. In contrast, bone fractures, soft tissue tumors, and fluid-filled cysts typically require different imaging sequences to highlight their respective characteristics. Bone fractures are better visualized with different modalities like X-ray or specific MRI sequences that target bone. Soft tissue tumors may need T1-weighted or contrast-enhanced sequences to demonstrate their vascularity and extent. Fluid-filled cysts are generally best evaluated with standard T2 sequences, where the fluid appears bright but is less informative regarding the tissue surrounding the cysts, which FLAIR can mask. Thus, the use