Detection of normal spinal veins by using susceptibility-weighted imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the visualization of the spinal veins using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI).


METHODS
A 1.5-T magnet equipped with a spine matrix coil was used. Axial SWI scans of 20 healthy volunteers were obtained with a three-dimensional fast low-angle shot (3D-FLASH) sequence. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) of the phase images were reconstructed and five MIP images (at the levels of T11, T11/12, T12, T12/L1, and L1) were selected for the evaluation. The anterior median vein (AMV), posterior median vein (PMV), anterior radiculomedullary vein (ARV), posterior radiculomedullary vein (PRV), and sulcal vein (SV) were evaluated using a 4-grade scale (0, none; 1, weak; 2, moderate; and 3, prominent).


RESULTS
The AMV was detected in all the subjects (100%). The detection rates of the other veins were lower: PMV, 65%; right ARV, 45%; left ARV, 15%; right PRV, 10%; left PRV, 30%; and SV, 0%. The average scores for AMV, PMV, right ARV, left ARV, right PRV, left PRV, and SV were 0.98, 0.24, 0.20, 0.08, 0.08, 0.14, and 0, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
SWI of the spine is feasible. The extrinsic spinal veins can be visualized by SWI without using contrast materials.
Ishizaka
Kinya
K
Department of Radiology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
Kudo
Kohsuke
K
Fujima
Noriyuki
N
Zaitsu
Yuri
Y
Yazu
Rie
R
Tha
Khin Khin
KK
Terae
Satoshi
S
Haacke
E Mark
EM
Sasaki
Makoto
M
Shirato
Hiroki
H
D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult