Visualization of spinal cord motion associated with the cardiac pulse by tagged magnetic resonance imaging with particle image velocimetry software.
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.
Kohgo
Hidetoshi
H
Department of Radiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, and Department of Radiology, Fujinomiya City General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
Isoda
Haruo
H
Takeda
Hiroyasu
H
Inagawa
Shoichi
S
Sugiyama
Koichi
K
Yamashita
Shuhei
S
Sakahara
Harumi
H
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*