STIR
Medical abbreviation · Medical Imaging
| Stands for | Short tau inversion recovery |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
STIR stands for Short tau inversion recovery, a medical imaging abbreviation.
MRI fat-suppression sequence that makes fat dark and fluid bright, highlighting edema in bone marrow, muscle and soft tissue. Musculoskeletal radiologists rely on it to detect stress fractures, bone bruises, osteomyelitis and inflammatory changes.
Example: STIR hyperintensity in the second metatarsal neck consistent with a stress reaction.
Usage notes
Unlike chemical fat saturation, STIR works well on low-field magnets and around metal hardware because it nulls fat based on relaxation time. The trade-off is a lower signal-to-noise ratio. STIR is avoided after gadolinium, since enhancing tissue may be suppressed along with fat.
Related abbreviations
More medical imaging abbreviations
- PACS – Picture archiving and communication system
- PET – Positron emission tomography
- PET-CT – Positron emission tomography-computed tomography
- PI-RADS – Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System
- POCUS – Point-of-care ultrasound
- SPECT – Single-photon emission computed tomography
- SUV – Standardized uptake value
- Tc-99m – Technetium-99m
- TVUS – Transvaginal ultrasound
- US – Ultrasound
- USG – Ultrasonography
- V/Q scan – Ventilation-perfusion scan
See all 58 medical imaging abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.