title: Detectability of neural tracts and nuclei in the brainstem utilizing 3DAC-PROPELLER.
abstract: Despite clinical importance of identifying exact anatomical location of neural tracts and nuclei in the brainstem, no neuroimaging studies have validated the detectability of these structures. The aim of this study was to assess the detectability of the structures using three-dimensional anisotropy contrast-periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (3DAC-PROPELLER) imaging. Forty healthy volunteers (21 males, 19 females; 19-53 years, average 23.4 years) participated in this study. 3DAC-PROPELLER axial images were obtained with a 3T-MR system at four levels of the brainstem: the lower midbrain, upper and lower pons, and medulla oblongata. Three experts independently judged whether five tracts (corticospinal tract, medial lemniscus, medial longitudinal fasciculus, central tegmental and spinothalamic tracts) and 10 nuclei (oculomotor and trochlear nuclei, spinal trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibular, hypoglossal, prepositus, and solitary nuclei, locus ceruleus, superior and inferior olives) on each side could be identified. In total, 240 assessments were made. The five tracts and eight nuclei were identified in all the corresponding assessments, whereas the locus ceruleus and superior olive could not be identified in 3 (1.3%) and 16 (6.7%) assessments, respectively. 3DAC-PROPELLER seems extremely valuable imaging method for mapping out surgical strategies for brainstem lesions.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Research Institute, University of Niigata, Niigata, Japan.
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: Kouichirou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuzawa
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terumitsu
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakada
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D001933:Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015588:Observer Variation; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 3DAC-PROPELLER; MRI; brainstem; neural tract; nucleus