Buch K, et al. - In pediatric patients with primary intracranial tumors, researchers evaluated the diagnostic usefulness of the balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence (CISS/FIESTA/3D driven equilibrium radiofrequency reset pulse) for the detection of spinal drop metastases. Study participants in this retrospective study were 44 pediatric patients with primary intracranial tumors who had MR imaging spine evaluation for drop metastases prior to radiation treatment. In these patients, the bSSFP sequence increased the diagnostic yield for detecting drop metastases and was particularly beneficial for small drop metastases (< 3 mm) and nonenhancing metastases, and it reduced the number of false-positives. For evaluating drop metastases, the bSSFP sequence might be an important adjunct to postcontrast T1WI.