Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Practice Test

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Which anatomical region is often targeted in STIR sequences for fat suppression?

  1. Head

  2. Spine

  3. Chest

  4. Ankle

The correct answer is: Ankle

In STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery) sequences, fat suppression is commonly targeted in the ankle region due to the high prevalence of fat deposits in soft tissues surrounding the bones and joints. This technique is particularly useful in musculoskeletal imaging where distinguishing between fat and water is critical, such as in evaluating inflammatory conditions, edema, or lesions that might be obscured by surrounding fat. The ankle has varying amounts of subcutaneous fat and marrow fat in the bones, and the STIR sequence enhances the visibility of pathological changes by suppressing the bright signal from fat. This makes lesions or edema in the soft tissues or between joints more prominent and easier to identify. While fat suppression can be utilized in other anatomical areas like the head, spine, or chest, the ankle region is a specific area where it plays a crucial role in diagnostic clarity.