Visualization of cervical nerve roots and their distal nerve fibers by diffusion-weighted scanning using parallel imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To report a technique developed for visualizing cervical nerve roots and distal nerve fibers using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging employing parallel imaging.


METHODS
We performed maximum intensity projection for a stack of isotropic axial diffusion-weighted images obtained with parallel imaging applying a motion-probing gradient in six directions with a b-value of 500 s/mm2 in a preliminary series of 13 subjects.


RESULTS
This method worked well for visualizing the spinal cord and most of the nerve roots, the dorsal root ganglia, and proximal peripheral nerves.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the technique remains limited in depicting the brachial plexus and distal nerves, the ability to visualize the proximal peripheral nervous system at the cervical level is promising.
Tsuchiya
K
K
Department of Radiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan. tsuchiyak-kyr@umin.ac.jp
Fujikawa
A
A
Tateishi
H
H
Nitatori
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000473:pathology