[High resolution MR neurography in patients with cervical radiculopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To image the cervical spinal nerves directly in patients with clinical and radiographic evidence of cervical radiculopathy via high resolution MR neurography by means of a qualitative and quantitative analysis.


METHODS
Twenty symptomatic patients with cervical radiculopathy and five asymptomatic volunteers were examined. A phased-array coil system was used to obtain high-resolution coronal T1-weighted spin echo and coronal/axial short tau inversion recovery (STIR) images of the cervical spine and spinal nerves. On the axial STIR images, nerve/muscle signal intensity ratio of the cervical spinal nerves were measured on both sides and compared with paired samples t test. P values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant (p<0.05).


RESULTS
A markedly increased signal in the distal portion of the affected spinal nerves was found. Nerve/muscle signal intensity ratio measurements of the affected spinal nerves showed a significantly increased intensity compared with the noninvolved spinal nerves (p<0.05). In controls, nerve/muscle signal intensity rate was nearly identical on both sides (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance neurography performed with phased-array coils can detect signal abnormalities within compressed cervical spinal nerves in patients with corresponding radicular symptoms and findings. This technique may be helpful especially in evaluating patients with multi-level disc disease of the cervical spine.
Erdem
C Zuhal
CZ
Zonguldak Karaelmas Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Radyoloji Anabilim Dali, Zonguldak, Turkey.
Erdem
L Oktay
LO
Cağavi
Ferda
F
Kalayci
Murat
M
Gündoğdu
Sadi
S
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000473:pathology*