FLAIR (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery)

FLAIR (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) is an MRI technique that enhances brain imaging by reducing the bright signal from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. This suppression makes it easier to detect and distinguish abnormalities like lesions, inflammation, or damage within the brain tissue, especially near fluid-filled areas. By effectively "turning down" the appearance of fluid signals, FLAIR provides clearer images of brain structures and helps in diagnosing conditions such as multiple sclerosis, strokes, or tumors with greater accuracy.