Detecting Peripheral Nerves in the Elbow using Three-Dimensional Diffusion-Weighted PSIF Sequences: a Feasibility Pilot Study.
10.13104/imri.2016.20.2.81
- Author:
Domin NA
1
;
Jaeil RYU
;
Suk Joo HONG
;
Sun Hwa HONG
;
Min A YOON
;
Kyung Sik AHN
;
Chang Ho KANG
;
Baek Hyun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hongsj@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
3T MR neurography;
3D DW PSIF;
Elbow joint;
Peripheral nerve
- MeSH:
Elbow Joint;
Elbow*;
Female;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Male;
Peripheral Nerves*;
Pilot Projects*;
Radial Nerve;
Signal-To-Noise Ratio;
Ulnar Nerve;
Volunteers
- From:Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
2016;20(2):81-87
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To analyze the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) diffusion-weighted (DW) PSIF (reversed FISP [fast imaging with steady-state free precession]) sequence in order to evaluate peripheral nerves in the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten normal, asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled (6 men, 4 women, mean age 27.9 years). The following sequences of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the elbow were obtained using a 3.0-T machine: 3D DW PSIF, 3D T2 SPACE (sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution) with SPAIR (spectral adiabatic inversion recovery) and 2D T2 TSE (turbo spin echo) with modified Dixon (m-Dixon) sequence. Two observers used a 5-point grading system to analyze the image quality of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of each nerve were measured. We compared 3D DW PSIF images with other sequences using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test and Friedman test. Inter-observer agreement was measured using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. RESULTS: The mean 5-point scores of radial, median, and ulnar nerves in 3D DW PSIF (3.9/4.2/4.5, respectively) were higher than those in 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR (1.9/2.8/2.8) and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon (1.7/2.8/2.9) sequences (P < 0.05). The mean SNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR, but there was no difference between 3D DW PSIF and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in all of the three nerves. The mean CNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in the median and ulnar nerves, but no difference among the three sequences in the radial nerve. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional DW PSIF sequence may be feasible to evaluate the peripheral nerves around the elbow in MR imaging. However, further optimization of the image quality (SNR, CNR) is required.
