title: Use of magnetization transfer for improved contrast on gradient-echo MR images of the cervical spine.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Metro-Health Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109-1998.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Finelli
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Duerk
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bellon
mesh_terms: 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*