Imaging of Peripheral Nerves Around the Knee:A Comparative Study Between 3T and 7T MRI Using Double Echo Steady-State Sequences
10.3969/j.issn.1005-5185.2025.05.004
- VernacularTitle:膝关节周围神经成像:3T与7T MRI双回波稳态序列对比研究
- Author:
Zilong LI
1
;
Fengwei YU
1
;
Pinzhen CHEN
1
;
Wei CHEN
1
Author Information
1. 陆军军医大学第一附属医院7T磁共振转化医学研究中心,重庆 400038;陆军军医大学第一附属医院放射科,重庆 400038
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Knee joint;
Ultra-high field;
Double-echo steady state sequence;
Peripheral nerves;
Consistency
- From:
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging
2025;33(5):467-473
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Purpose To compare the effectiveness of double-echo steady state(DESS)sequences at 7T and 3T MRI in peripheral nerves and nerve fascicles around the knee joint.Materials and Methods Fourteen healthy volunteers in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from July 2022 to March 2025 were selected for 3T and 7T MRI scans,which included three-dimensional dual-echo steady state(3D-DESS)and dual-echo steady state with higher in-plane spatial resolution(DESSHR).Image and tissue signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)were measured.Qualitative metrics were assessed using a five-point Likert scale,and consistency of qualitative measurements was evaluated.Results The SNR of the peroneal nerve using the 3D-DESS sequence on 3T MRI was significantly lower than that on 7T MRI(t=2.913,P=0.011),while there were no statistically significant differences in SNR between other sequences(t=-0.564,-0.843,1.424,all P>0.05).The CNR of the peroneal nerve/fat using the 3D-DESS sequence on 7T MRI(t=2.490,P=0.027)and the DESSHR sequence(t=3.354,7.467,both P<0.01)was significantly higher than that of 3T MRI.However,the CNR of the tibial nerve/fat using the 3D-DESS sequence(t=-4.162,P=0.001)and the CNR of the tibial nerve/muscle using the DESSHR sequence(t=-4.358,P=0.001)were significantly lower on 7T MRI than those on 3T MRI.The image quality of both the DESSHR and 3D-DESS sequences on 7T MRI was significantly superior than those of on 3T MRI(mean differences:0.139,1.000;χ2=4.765,70.000,P<0.029,P<0.001),with clearer imaging of nerves around the knee(mean differences:0.717-2.071;χ2=66.000,62.000,68.000,23.684,60.000,58.000,61.000,58.000,all P<0.001);the DESSHR sequence on 3T MRI had fewer artifacts than that on 7T MRI(mean difference:-0.785;χ2=47.078,P<0.001).The qualitative measurement results were consistently evaluated by five assessors with good agreement(Kappa=0.67-0.85,P<0.001).Conclusion Compared with 3T MRI,the DESS sequence based on 7T can better visualize the common peroneal nerve,tibial nerve,saphenous nerve and their nerve bundles.
