Use of magnetization transfer for improved contrast on gradient-echo MR images of the cervical spine.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether magnetization transfer (MT) can improve image contrast on gradient-recalled echo (GRE) magnetic resonance (MR) images of the cervical spine.


METHODS
Sagittal and axial two-dimensional conventional GRE and MT GRE images were obtained in 103 patients with degenerative disk disease or intrinsic cord lesions. The contrast-to-noise ratios (C/Ns) for the cervical spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared for images obtained at various MT power level and section-select flip angle combinations. Axial three-dimensional GRE images were also obtained with application of MT and C/N evaluated in 10 additional patients.


RESULTS
Tailored two-dimensional MT GRE images, obtained with a moderate MT power level and a section-select flip angle similar to the Ernst angle for CSF, provided an average of 2.2-2.4-fold improvement in spinal cord-CSF C/N than conventional GRE images (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The MT GRE images demonstrated superior delineation of disk herniations, foraminal stenosis, and intrinsic cord lesions over conventional GRE and T2-weighted spin-echo images in clinical cervical spine examinations.
Finelli
D A
DA
Department of Radiology, Metro-Health Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109-1998.
Hurst
G C
GC
Karaman
B A
BA
Simon
J E
JE
Duerk
J L
JL
Bellon
E M
EM
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012372:ROC Curve; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*