Hiroki Shishido RT, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hiroyuki Takashima RT,PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rui Imamura, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yoshihiro Akatsuka, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ayaka Chiba, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kuniaki Harada MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The aim of this prospective study was to compare the three-dimensional with fat-suppressed Coherent Oscillatory State Acquisition for the Manipulation of Image Contrast (COSMIC) sequence and the Fast Imaging Employing Steady State Acquisition (FIESTA) for evaluating lumbar nerve root compression with continuous thin-slice magnetic resonance images (MRI).

Eighteen patients with lateral lumbar disc herniation, who underwent Micro Endoscopic Discectomy, were enrolled. We optimized continuous 1.2-mm thick lumbar axial images with 3D COSMIC and 3D FIESTA. We calculated the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for nerve roots on images with these sequences. With knowledge of the final diagnosis, we assessed the visibility of nerve root compression on these images.

These continuous thin-slice axial images facilitated visualization of nerve root compression in >94% patients. The CNR of nerve roots to CSF were significantly higher than 3D FIESTA images (p<0.01). The CNR of 3D COSMIC images on detection of nerve root compression for lateral lumbar disc herniation were higher than 3D-FIESTA images (p<0.05).

Continuous thin-slice MR images using 3D COSMIC sequence are optimum approach for operation to evaluate lumbar nerve root compression, and 3D COSMIC is superior to 3D FIESTA for depiction of lumbar nerve roots.

3D COSMIC sequence is a useful tool for lateral lumbar disc herniation, continuous thin slice images and higher CNR for nerve roots.

Shishido, H, Takashima, H, Imamura, R, Akatsuka, Y, Chiba, A, Harada, K, Clinical Usefulness and Optimization of 3D MR Imaging Using Fat-suppressed COSMIC Sequence for Lateral Lumbar Disc Herniation: Comparison with FIESTA.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12026641.html