MAGNETIZATION-TRANSFER CONTRAST IMAGING OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE AT 0.3-T

Citation
H. Yoshioka et al., MAGNETIZATION-TRANSFER CONTRAST IMAGING OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE AT 0.3-T, Journal of computer assisted tomography, 18(6), 1994, pp. 947-953
Citations number
40
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
ISSN journal
0363-8715
Volume
18
Issue
6
Year of publication
1994
Pages
947 - 953
Database
ISI
SICI code
0363-8715(1994)18:6<947:MCIOTC>2.0.ZU;2-S
Abstract
Objective: We assessed the efficacy of magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging of the cervical spine in conjunction with a gradient re called echo (GRE) technique using a 0.3 T permanent magnet imager. Mat erials and Methods: Seventy patients were prospectively investigated. Multislice sagittal and axial images of the cervical spine with and wi thout MTC were obtained using a GRE sequence (TR/TE/flip angle = 750 m s/23 ms/25 degrees). The contrast-to-noise ratios (C/Ns) for CSF versu s cord or disk were calculated for quantitative analysis. Qualitative image analysis was also performed. Results: Both sagittal and axial MT C images had significantly higher C/N values than conventional GRE ima ges. The MTC images showed better differentiation between the CSF and the cord or thecal sac as well as better delineation of the nerve root s. Furthermore, MTC images demonstrated syringo-myelia more clearly th an conventional images. Conclusion: Magnetization transfer contrast im ages at 0.3 T ace effective for diagnosing diseases of the cervical sp ine.