Functional Assessment of Lumbar Nerve Roots Using Coronal-plane Single-shot Turbo Spin-echo Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Sakai, Takayuki; Aoki, Yasuchika; Watanabe, Atsuya; Yoneyama, Masami; Ochi, Shigehiro; Miyati, Tosiaki

doi:10.2463/mrms.tn.2019-0014

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…PROPELLER, multi-shot, and TSE DTI techniques are preferred when there is inhomogeneity in the magnetic field. 50 Non-EPI sequences may be useful when hematoma or foreign bodies are suspected in the setting of trauma or instrumentation. 51…”

Section: Pitfalls and Artifactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PROPELLER, multishot, and TSE DTI techniques are preferred when there is inhomogeneity in the magnetic field. 50 Non-EPI sequences may be useful when hematoma or foreign bodies are suspected in the setting of trauma or instrumentation. 51 Physiologic motion artifacts, such as breathing or vascular pulsation, may be minimized using respiratory or cardiac gating.…”

Section: Pitfalls and Artifactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technical Update on MR Neurography

Martín-Noguerol

Montesinos

Hassankhani

et al. 2022

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol

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Imaging evaluation of peripheral nerves (PNs) is challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography are the modalities of choice in the imaging assessment of PNs. Both conventional MRI pulse sequences and advanced techniques have important roles. Routine MR sequences are the workhorse, with the main goal to provide superb anatomical definition and identify focal or diffuse nerve T2 signal abnormalities. Selective techniques, such as three-dimensional (3D) cranial nerve imaging (CRANI) or 3D NerveVIEW, allow for a more detailed evaluation of normal and pathologic states. These conventional pulse sequences have a limited role in the comprehensive assessment of pathophysiologic and ultrastructural abnormalities of PNs. Advanced functional MR neurography sequences, such as diffusion tensor imaging tractography or T2 mapping, provide useful and robust quantitative parameters that can be useful in the assessment of PNs on a microscopic level. This article offers an overview of various technical parameters, pulse sequences, and protocols available in the imaging of PNs and provides tips on avoiding potential pitfalls.

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Section: Pitfalls and Artifactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pitfalls and Artifactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technical Update on MR Neurography

Martín-Noguerol

Montesinos

Hassankhani

et al. 2022

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Clinical Value and Reliability of Quantitative Assessments of Lumbosacral Nerve Root Using Diffusion Tensor and Diffusion Weighted MR Imaging: A Systematic Review

Pesesse,

Vanderthommen,

Durieux

et al. 2024

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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BackgroundLumbosacral radicular pain diagnosis remains challenging. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) have potential to quantitatively evaluate symptomatic nerve root, which may facilitate diagnosis.PurposeTo determine the ability of DTI and DWI metrics, namely fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), to discriminate between healthy and symptomatic lumbosacral nerve roots, to evaluate the association between FA and ADC values and patient symptoms, and to determine FA and ADC reliability.Study TypeSystematic review.SubjectsEight hundred twelve patients with radicular pain with or without radiculopathy caused by musculoskeletal‐related compression or inflammation of a single, unilateral lumbosacral nerve root and 244 healthy controls from 29 studies.Field Strength/SequenceDiffusion weighted echo planar imaging sequence at 1.5 T or 3 T.AssessmentAn extensive systematic review of the literature was conducted in Embase, Scopus, and Medline databases. FA and ADC values in symptomatic and contralateral lumbosacral nerve roots were extracted and summarized, together with intra‐ and inter‐rater agreements. Where available, associations between DWI or DTI parameters and patient symptoms or symptom duration were extracted.Statistical TestsThe main results of the included studies are summarized. No additional statistical analyses were performed.ResultsThe DTI studies systematically found significant differences in FA values between the symptomatic and contralateral lumbosacral nerve root of patients suffering from radicular pain with or without radiculopathy. In contrast, identification of the symptomatic nerve root with ADC values was inconsistent for both DTI and DWI studies. FA values were moderately to strongly correlated with several symptoms (eg, disability, nerve dysfunction, and symptom duration). The inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of DTI parameters were moderate to excellent. The methodological quality of included studies was very heterogeneous.Data ConclusionThis systematic review showed that DTI was a reliable and discriminative imaging technique for the assessment of symptomatic lumbosacral nerve root, which more consistently identified the symptomatic nerve root than DWI. Further studies of high quality are needed to confirm these results.Evidence LevelN/ATechnical EfficacyStage 2

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