High-resolution constructive interference in a steady state imaging of cervicothoracic adhesive arachnoiditis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of constructive interference in a steady state (CISS) sequence for an evaluation of cervicothoracic adhesive arachnoiditis.


METHODS
Seven patients with arachnoiditis underwent magnetic resonance imaging with T1- and T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) and 3-dimensional CISS sequences. Three observers compared T2-weighted FSE and 3-dimensional CISS images with regard to image quality for spinal adhesive arachnoiditis. Magnetic resonance appearances accompanied with cervicothoracic adhesive arachnoiditis on CISS coupled with T2-weighted FSE sequences were also evaluated.


RESULTS
The CISS images were superior to T2-weighted FSE images in the demarcation of spinal cord, dura matter, nerve root, and adhesive point. In our 7 cases with cervicothoracic adhesive arachnoiditis, dural thickening in 2 cases, syringomyelia in 6, arachnoidal cysts in 3, findings of presyrinx in 2, intramedullary microcyst in 2, and deformity of the spinal cord were present.


CONCLUSIONS
A CISS sequence was more desirable for an evaluation of the cervicothoracic adhesive arachnoiditis than T2-weighted FSE images and could provide useful additional information.
Ikushima
I
I
Department of Radiology, Miyakonojo Medical Association Hospital, Japan. iku-i@fk.enjoy.ne.jp
Korogi
Y
Y
Hirai
T
T
Yamashita
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001100:Arachnoiditis / Q000473:pathology*; D001415:Back; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck