Diffusion-weighted MR neurography of the sacral plexus with unidirectional motion probing gradients

Takahara, Taro; Hendrikse, Jeroen; Kwee, Thomas C.; Yamashita, Tomohiro; Cauteren, Marc Van; Polders, Daniel; Boer, Vincent O.; Imai, Yutaka; Mali, Willem P.Th.M.; Luijten, Peter R.

doi:10.1007/s00330-009-1665-2

Cited by 52 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…SUSHI can be regarded as a better denoising method than the unidirectional DW-MRN earlier introduced by Takahara et al (14). In this study, we made a novel attempt to use SUSHI for DTI data as a supplement for the method introduced by Skorpil et al (6) We found that the nerves can be displayed clearly in single-direction recon- struction, but the noise of isotropic objects was the main interference for nerve visualization ( Figure 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Volume-Rendered Three-Dimensional Display of the Peripheral Nerves in the Wrist Region Using Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Zhou

Jin

et al. 2016

Iran J Radiol

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Background: In addition to fiber tracking, stereoscopic display of the peripheral nerves can be obtained based on magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data using post-processing methods, including volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP). However, sufficient suppression of the image noise remains a challenge. Objectives: To achieve three-dimensional (3D) display of the peripheral nerves in the wrist region using two post-processing methods for DTI, i.e. VR reconstruction for single-direction images and the subtraction of unidirectionally encoded images for suppression of heavily isotropic objects (SUSHI); to compare the quality of images obtained via the two approaches; and to explore their clinical applications. Materials and Methods: We performed DTI scans using 6 (DTI6) and 25 (DTI25) encoding diffusion directions for 20 wrists of 10 healthy adult volunteers. We used VR to reconstruct 2 types of images: 1, single-direction (anterior-posterior [AP] direction) and 2, SUSHI (AP direction with the subtraction of the superior-inferior [SI] direction). The 3D nerve image quality, noise level, and degree of noise-removal difficulty were evaluated according to custom evaluation scales. The preliminary clinical applications of these methods were explored through follow-ups with patients with nerve laceration in the wrist region. Results: Single-direction VR reconstruction clearly showed the nerves for both DTI6 and DTI25 but with obvious noise. In DTI25, VR reconstruction for SUSHI showed the nerves clearly with excellent nerve signal intensity. In DTI6, SUSHI post-processing lost some ulnar nerve signal intensity, resulting in a significant difference in image quality scores between single-direction images and SUSHI. Most of the noise was removed after SUSHI post-processing. Conclusion: VR reconstruction for both single-direction images and SUSHI using DTI25 raw data provides excellent 3D displays of the peripheral nerves in the wrist region. SUSHI post-processing is a useful denoising tool because it automatically reduces the majority of isotropic object noise.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Volume-Rendered Three-Dimensional Display of the Peripheral Nerves in the Wrist Region Using Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Zhou

Jin

et al. 2016

Iran J Radiol

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“…PN and plexus can be highlighted from the rest of adjacent structures by applying one or two motion probe gradients perpendicular to the course of the nerve ( Figure 1). In DWN, a high b value between 500 to 1,000 s/mm 2 , usually b 800 s/mm 2 , is acquired providing a good signal to noise ratio (SNR) and adequate suppression of neighboring structures (9). The inclusion of a fat-suppression technique in DWN sequences is mandatory, which may be performed using spectral or non-spectral fat suppression techniques.…”

Section: Dwi Neurographymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of DWI based neurographic sequences has demonstrated several advantages over conventional morphological neurographic studies (9,18,28,29). The strength of these techniques relies on providing functional and quantitative information, allowing a correct understanding of the normal physiology of PN and the pathophysiological processes that underlie the different conditions involving PN, with potential influence to improve their diagnosis and therapy monitoring.…”

Section: Clinical Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) neurography for evaluation of peripheral nerves and plexus injuries

Noguerol¹,

Barousse²,

Socolovsky

et al. 2017

Quant. Imaging Med. Surg.

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Traumatic conditions of peripheral nerves and plexus have been classically evaluated by morphological imaging techniques and electrophysiological tests. New magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies based on 3D fat-suppressed techniques are providing high accuracy for peripheral nerve injury evaluation from a qualitative point of view. However, these techniques do not provide quantitative information. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are functional MRI techniques that are able to evaluate and quantify the movement of water molecules within different biological structures. These techniques have been successfully applied in other anatomical areas, especially in the assessment of central nervous system, and now are being imported, with promising results for peripheral nerve and plexus evaluation. DWI and DTI allow performing a qualitative and quantitative peripheral nerve analysis, providing valuable pathophysiological information about functional integrity of these structures.In the field of trauma and peripheral nerve or plexus injury, several derived parameters from DWI and DTI studies such as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) or fractional anisotropy (FA) among others, can be used as potential biomarkers of neural damage providing information about fiber organization, axonal flow or myelin integrity. A proper knowledge of physical basis of these techniques and their limitations is important for an optimal interpretation of the imaging findings and derived data. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the potential applications of DWI and DTI neurographic studies is performed with a focus on traumatic conditions, including main nerve entrapment syndromes in both peripheral nerves and brachial or lumbar plexus.

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“…2,3 Formerly presented MRN techniques include fat-suppressed T 2 -weighted imaging, 4,5 diŠusion-weighted imaging (DWI), [6][7][8][9] and three-dimensional (3D) diŠusion-weighted steadystate free precession imaging (3D DW-SSFP). [10][11][12] Although these techniques can produce excellentquality images, they have several limitations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, nerves can be easily separated from surrounding structures and visualization of the 3D trajectory of the entire nerve system has become possible with DWI. [6][7][8][9] However, DWI suŠers from a relatively low spatial resolution and image distortion. Both are non-negligible issues, especially when aiming to visualizeˆne peripheral nerve structure or to obtain close-up views to evaluate focal pathology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid High Resolution MR Neurography with a Diffusion-weighted Pre-pulse

Yoneyama¹,

Takahara

Kwee

et al. 2013

MRMS

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Purpose: To introduce, optimize, and assess the feasibility of a new scheme to rapidly acquire high-resolution volumetric neurographic images using a three-dimensional turbo spin-echo sequence combined with a diŠusion-weighted pre-pulse called improved motionsensitized driven equilibrium (iMSDE): DiŠusion-prepared MR Neurography (D-prep MRN).Methods: In order to optimize the signal suppression of blood vessels and muscle at Dprep MRN, coronal lumbosacral plexus images were acquired inˆve volunteers at 3T, and the following parameters were examined: iMSDE gradient-strength (b-value) of 0, 2 and 10 s/mm 2 (with the aim to suppress blood vessels) and iMSDE preparation duration (iMSDE prep-time ) of 18, 50 and 100 ms (with the aim to suppress muscle signal). Subsequently, the feasibility of the optimized D-prep MRN sequence in visualizing the brachial plexus, lumbosacral plexus, and cranial nerves was evaluated in 5 healthy volunteers.Results: A higher b-value of 10 s/mm 2 was better in signal suppression of blood vessels, whereas an intermediate iMSDE prep-time of 50 ms provided the best compromise between suppression of muscle signal and minimization of signal loss of nerves. With these parameters, the normal nerve structures showed high signal intensity, while the blood vessels and muscles were eŠectively suppressed. The optimized D-prep MRN sequence clearly showed the three-dimensional trajectory of the brachial plexus, lumbosacral plexus, and cranial nerves.Conclusion: D-prep MRN was introduced and optimized, and clearly showed detailed anatomy of the brachial plexus, lumbosacral plexus, and cranial nerves. These results suggest that the D-prep MRN can be used for fast, high-resolution, volumetric imaging of the peripheral nervous system.

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Diffusion-weighted MR neurography of the sacral plexus with unidirectional motion probing gradients

Cited by 52 publications

References 7 publications

Volume-Rendered Three-Dimensional Display of the Peripheral Nerves in the Wrist Region Using Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Volume-Rendered Three-Dimensional Display of the Peripheral Nerves in the Wrist Region Using Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) neurography for evaluation of peripheral nerves and plexus injuries

Rapid High Resolution MR Neurography with a Diffusion-weighted Pre-pulse

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