MRI pulse sequence abbreviations

This article contains a list of commonly and less commonly used MRI pulse sequence abbreviations and their meaning. If available, an explanation is included in a separate article.

spin echo sequences (SE)

• • T1: T1 weighted
    • IR: inversion recovery
  • T2 : T2 weighted
    • RARE: rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement
    • HASTE: half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo
    • BLADE: proprietary name for periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) in MRI systems from Siemens HealthcareTM 4
  • T2*:
    • BOLD imaging: blood oxygen level dependent imaging
  • FSE/TSE: fast/turbo spin echo
  • TGSE: turbo gradient spin echo
  • VISTA: 3D volume isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition
• gradient echo sequences (GRE)
  • SSFP: steady state free precession
  • TRUFI: true fast imaging with steady-state free precession
  • true FISP: fast imaging with steady-state free precession
  • PSIF: reverse FISP
  • DESS: dual echo steady state
  • FLASH: fast low angle shot 
  • GRASS: gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state
  • SPGR: spoiled gradient recalled
    • VIBE: volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination, volumetric interpolated brain examination
  • CISS: constructive interference in steady-state
  • FIESTA: fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition
• diffusion-weighted sequences:
  • DWI: diffusion-weighted imaging
  • ADC: apparent diffusion coefficient maps
• SWI : susceptibility weighted imaging
• inversion recovery sequences:
  • STIR: short tau inversion recovery
  • FLAIR: fluid-attenuated inversion recovery
  • TIRM: turbo inversion recovery magnitude
• MR angiography:
  • TOF: time of flight
  • MOTSA: multiple overlapping thin slab acquisitions
  • phase contrast
  • contrast enhanced MR angiography
  • TWIST: time resolved angiography with stochastic trajectories
• in and out of phase imaging
• fat suppressed imaging
• general techniques:
  • CLEAR: Constant LEvel AppeaRance