Rohini N. Nadgir MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ryan Irving, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hernan Jara PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Osamu Sakai MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To develop a correlation-time diffusion coefficient (CTD) mapping technique for high spatial resolution imaging of the cervical cord with negligible motion artifact vulnerability. CTD techniques are based on T1 and proton density quantitative MRI and do not use pulsed field gradients (PFG) for diffusion encoding. PFG diffusion pulse sequences have very high sensitivity to non-diffusional motions resulting in image degradation and low spatial resolution scans.

Six adult patients referred to MRI for assessment of the cervical spine were consented for an additional scan using the mixed turbo spin echo pulse sequence (mixed-TSE): 12 sagittal slices, voxel=0.626 x 0.625 x 3 mm3. The pulse sequence was implemented with the spine phased array coil for high SNR and high spatial resolution imaging. Coil sensitivity inhomogeneities were corrected using the "Constant Level Appearance (CLEAR)" option on our scanner (1.5T, Philips Medical Systems) resulting in homogeneity corrected quantitative MRI maps of CTD, proton density, T1 and T2.

Image quality was very high for all subjects. ROI-measured diffusion coefficients of the spinal cord at several cervical levels ranged from 0.6 to 0.8 x 10-5 cm2/s. These values are in good agreement with previously published values. As quantitative reference, CTD values of CSF were 3.0 +/- 0.3 x 10-5 cm2/s, also in excellent agreement with literature values.

High image quality and quantitatively accurate correlation time diffusion coefficient mapping of the cervical cord can be achieved in the clinical setting using the mixed-TSE pulse sequence and a phased array receiver coil.

High resolution CTD cervical cord maps created from mixed-TSE pulse sequence using phased array coil may theoretically demonstrate subtle true cord pathology in the clinical setting.

Nadgir, R, Irving, R, Jara, H, Sakai, O, Correlation-time Diffusion Coefficient MRI of the Cervical Cord Using the Mixed-TSE Pulse Sequence and Phased Array Coil.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5013226.html