Biling Liang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Li Gao MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Yun Zhang MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To explore the application of STIR-EPI diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in brachial plexus and to compare its performance with that of conventional STIR/long TE sequence.

Fifteen volunteers, 19 to 66 years old, underwent conventional STIR/long TE imaging (slice orientation is coronal, TR/TE=2341/60ms, TI=165ms; slice thickness/gap=3mm/0.3mm, FOV=325mm, RFOV=80%, Matrix=160×256, NSA=4) and STIR-EPI DWI of brachial plexus (slice orientation is axial, TR/TE=6800/70ms, TI=180ms, EPI factor=47, Sense factor=2, shot mode=single shot, b=800s/mm2; slice thickness/gap = 4 mm /0mm, FOV=325mm, RFOV=70%, Matrix=160×256, NSA=10) on 1.5T MR scanner (Gyroscan Intera Master, Philips Medical Systems) with synergy-head/neck coil. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) was performed for STIR-EPI DWI to get random angle reconstructive coronal images. Two radiologists reviewed all images and calculated the numbers of visualized spinal root, ganglion, supra clavicular and infra clavicular of brachial plexus of the total 30 laterals by consensus.

The numbers of visualized spinal roots, ganglions, supra clavicular and infra clavicular of brachial plexus were 27/30, 24/30, 26/30, 8/30 on STIR/long TE sequence, and 28/30, 29/30, 29/30, 19/30 on MIP images of STIR-EPI DWI, respectively. Most of the ganglions and nerves were visualized clearly on MIP images of STIR-EPI DWI, with the signals of background were completely suppressed. The percentage of visualized ganglions and infra clavicular of brachial plexus of STIR-EPI DWI were higher than that of STIR/long TE sequence (χ2=4.043, P<0.05;χ2=8.148, P<0.01).

Our study suggest that STIR-EPI DWI is as reliable as STIR/long TE sequence and appears more valuable for showing ganglions and infra clavicular of brachial plexus.

Liang, B, Gao, L, Zhang, Y, STIR-EPI Diffusion-weighted Imaging of Brachial Plexus.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4416276.html