Optimal fast T2-weighted magnetic resonance microscopy imaging of the eye and its clinical application.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a half-Fourier single-shot rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) sequence with a balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) sequence in the evaluation of the eye using magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy imaging and to clarify the usefulness of RARE microscopy imaging in evaluating nonoperative glaucoma patients and patients who have undergone surgery for glaucoma or cataract.


METHODS
One-mm and 2-mm slice thickness images of RARE sequence and b-SSFP sequence using a 1.5 T MR unit and a 23-mm microscopy coil were obtained in eight healthy volunteers. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber was measured quantitatively and visualization of the anterior chamber anatomy was assessed qualitatively. Furthermore, we evaluated 21 glaucoma patients (including six postoperative patients) and four patients after cataract surgery with 2-mm slice thickness RARE MRI.


RESULTS
The 2-mm slice thickness RARE imaging had a significantly greater S/N ratio than the 1-mm slice thickness RARE imaging (P < 0.05) and acquired the best image quality among the four types of images (P < 0.01). Additionally, 2-mm slice thickness RARE microscopy imaging could depict anterior chamber anatomy of glaucoma eyes and eyes after cataract surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that optimal fast T2-weighted MR microimaging might become a useful ophthalmologic examination technique.
Tanitame
Keizo
K
Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Sasaki
Ko
K
Sone
Takashi
T
Otani
Keiko
K
D000328:Adult; D002386:Cataract / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity