Technical issues for the study of the optic nerve with MRI.
The optic nerve is technically challenging to investigate with Magnetic Resonance Imaging due to its small size, the effect of surrounding cerebrospinal fluid and lipid, and the presence of nearby bony structures. With careful optimization it is possible to obtain high quality T(1) and T(2) weighted images for qualitative assessment, however, although quantitative measurements of parameters such as relaxation times, magnetization transfer ratio and apparent diffusion coefficient may be problematic.
Barker
G J
GJ
Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK. g.barker@ion.ucl.ac.uk
D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*