Jihae Lee MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Joon Woo Lee, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Heung Sik Kang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate four magnetic resonance(MR) sequences (Proset, FLAIR, B-TFE, T2 Drive) for lumbosacral plexus and its branches  

Ten healthy young volunteers (M:F = 8:2 Mean age = 31.6 years ; range 27~39 years) underwent all four sequences on lumbosacral area using 3.0 T MRI (Achieva 3.0 T, Phillips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The parameters for the MR sequences were as follows: Proset=repetition time 8.55 msec/echo time 4.604 msec/flip angle 8 degrees/thickness 2mm, FLAIR=8000/342.3/90/2, B-TFE=3.914/1.578/45/2, T2-Drive=1980/250/90/2. Coronal and both oblique plane reconstruction images were obtained in each sequences. Two radiologists evaluated and scored each MR sequences in consensus. General image quality was scored from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). The numbers of visualized bilateral spinal nerves from L2 to S1 was counted (ten in total) The overlapping vessels obscuring plexus were evaluated semiquatitatively (1= many, 2=some, 3=few) Image quality defining spinal nerves and its branches (common peroneal nerve,tibial nerve, sciatic nerve, femoral nerve and obturator nerve) were also scored (0=nonvisualized, 1=poor, 2=moderate, 3=good). For statistical analysis, Friedmann test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were done.

In general image quality part, Proset (mean = 4.2, range 3~5) and B-TFE (mean = 3.7 range 3~5) got the highest scores. The number of visualized spinal nerves were most on Proset image (mean = 9.2, range 8~10). Discrimination between the nerves and the vessels were best on both FLAIR(mean = 2.1, range 1~3) and T2 Drive images(mean = 2.1, range 1~3). Sciatic nerve, common peroneal nerve, and tibial nerve were well visualized on both Proset(mean = 2.9, range 2~3) and FLAIR images (mean = 2.6, range 1~3) without significant statistical difference. Femoral nerve was best seen on FLAIR image(mean = 2.7, range 1~3). Obturator nerve was significantly well-visualized on only Proset image(mean = 2.6, range 1~3).

Proset is the best sequence in general evaluation of the lumbosacral plexus and its major branches. FLAIR sequence can be a complementary sequence for evaluation of nerves overlapping vascular and muscular structures.

The combination of Proset and FLAIR sequences of 3.0 T MR imaging is useful in detection of pathologic condition involving lumbosacral plexus and its branches.

Lee, J, Lee, J, Kang, H, Comparison of Different 3.0 T MR Sequences for Lumbosacral Plexus and Its Branches: Preliminary Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8010763.html