title: Visualization of spinal cord motion associated with the cardiac pulse by tagged magnetic resonance imaging with particle image velocimetry software.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not tagged magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with particle image velocimetry (PIV) software could reveal spinal cord motion clearly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six volunteers were enrolled in this study. Tagged MR imaging using fast spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state with spatial modulation of the magnetization technique was performed using a 1.5-T MR system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sagittal vector maps analyzed by PIV software revealed entire spinal cord motion sequentially during the cardiac cycle. The cervical spinal cord initially moved in a caudal direction and then continually oscillated from a cephalic-to-caudal direction. Each volunteer had a different cycle. In the thoracic spinal area, similar findings were observed, although they were slightly less clear than in the cervical area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tagged MR imaging combined with PIV software, referred to as tagged MR image velocimetry, revealed spinal cord motion associated with the cardiac pulse, especially in the cervical spine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, and Department of Radiology, Fujinomiya City General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidetoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kohgo
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Isoda
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inagawa
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Harumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakahara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011674:Pulse; D012984:Software; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*