Final answer:
IR-STIR suppresses fat signals with shorter scan times and is limited post-gadolinium, while IR-FLAIR suppresses fluid signals with longer scan durations, aiding lesion highlight post-gadolinium. Both techniques have limitations in patient comfort and MRI general drawbacks include high cost and potential patient discomfort due to confinement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between IR-STIR (Inversion Recovery with Short Tau Inversion Recovery) and IR-FLAIR (Inversion Recovery with Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) in MRI imaging lies primarily in their suppression of different types of signals and the variation in scan time. IR-STIR is designed to suppress fat signals and is particularly useful in detecting lesions or abnormalities in areas with high-fat content. However, its limitation is that it has relatively long scan times, which can be uncomfortable for the patient and less desirable in a clinical setting where time efficiency is important.
IR-FLAIR is primarily used to suppress fluid signals, making it useful for detecting lesions in the brain, such as multiple sclerosis plaques. Compared to IR-STIR, IR-FLAIR typically has a longer scan duration because of the longer inversion times used to fully suppress the fluid signal. This longer scan time can be a disadvantage in terms of patient comfort and workflow efficiency. When used after gadolinium contrast administration, FLAIR imaging can help in highlighting lesions, but scan duration might be increased due to the need for additional sequences. In terms of drawbacks of MRI, answer choice b. high cost and the need for shielding from the magnetic signals from the mentioned options is correct.