Interventional MR imaging with an endospinal imaging coil: preliminary results with anatomic imaging of the canine and cadaver spinal cord.
Percutaneous intraspinal navigation (PIN) is a new minimally invasive approach to the subarachnoid space. Using conventional radiographic fluoroscopy, entrance is gained to the lumbar subarachnoid space, allowing navigation throughout the spinal canal. Using an antenna/guidewire introduced via PIN, we performed endospinal MR imaging of the thoracic spinal cord in a cadaver and canine subject. Comparison images were obtained with an optimal surface coil. PIN allows endospinal MR imaging of the spinal cord, providing significant signal-to-noise ratio gains over conventional imaging.
Rappard
George
G
Division of Neuroradiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 75390-8896, USA.
Metzger
Gregory J
GJ
Weatherall
Paul T
PT
Purdy
Phillip D
PD
D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D044583:Neuroendoscopy; D038361:Neuronavigation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology*