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Intermediate Technical IVT

STIR

Also written as: STIR — Short Tau Inversion Recovery

Short Tau Inversion Recovery, an MRI sequence that suppresses signal from fat tissue while maintaining signal from fluid and inflamed tissue.

Full Definition

Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) is a fat-suppression MRI technique that uses a short inversion time to null the signal from fat while preserving signal from water and pathological tissue. In cardiovascular imaging, STIR sequences are particularly useful for detecting myocardial edema, inflammation, and hemorrhage. The technique is valuable in acute myocardial infarction imaging, myocarditis assessment, and evaluation of cardiac masses where fat suppression enhances contrast between normal and abnormal tissue.

In Context

  • "STIR images demonstrated high signal intensity in the anterior wall, consistent with acute myocardial edema." — Cardiac MRI report
  • "The protocol included T2-weighted STIR sequences for optimal detection of myocardial inflammation." — MRI protocol document

Don't confuse with

FLAIR fat saturation
SSFP ← Back to glossary strain imaging

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