title: Interactive near-real-time high-resolution imaging for MR-guided lumbar interventions using ZOOM imaging in an open 1.0 Tesla MRI system--initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Different techniques for magnetic resonance-guided lumbar interventions have been introduced in recent years. Appropriate pulse sequence design is crucial since high spatial resolution often comes at the cost of lower temporal resolution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of accelerated reduced field of view (ZOOM)-based imaging sequences for lumbar interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  ZOOM imaging was used in 31 interventions (periradicular, facet joint, epidural infiltrations, and discography) performed in 24 patients (10 women, 14 men; age 43 ± 13.3 years). Signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were determined and retrospectively compared with standard preinterventional (T2 weighted), peri-interventional (proton density), and postinterventional (spectral presaturation with inversion recovery [SPIR]) imaging. Needle artifacts were assessed by direct measurement as well as with parallel and perpendicular needle profiles. Puncture times were compared to similar interventions previously performed in our department.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in signal intensities (standard/ZOOM: 152.0/151.6; p=0.136) and CNR values (2.0/4.0; p=0.487) were identified for T2-weighted sequences. The needle artifact signal intensity was comparable (648.1/747.5; p=0.172) for peri-interventional imaging. Standard interventional (fat needle: 43.8/23.4; p<0.001; muscle needle: 6.2/2.4; p<0.001) and SPIR sequences (43.3/13.9; p=0.010) showed a higher CNR than corresponding ZOOM sequences did. Needle artifacts were larger in ZOOM (2.4 mm/2.9 mm; p=0.005). The profiles revealed that ZOOM imaging delivers more overall signal intensity. The turning points of both profiles were comparable. ZOOM reduced intervention times significantly (329.1 s/228.5 s; p=0.026).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ZOOM imaging is a feasible interactive sequence for lumbar interventions. It ameliorates the tradeoff between image quality and temporal resolution. Moreover, the sequence design reduces intervention times significantly.
authors.forename: Marcus R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Makowski
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jonczyk
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Streitparth
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guettler
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rathke
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Suttmeyer
authors.forename: Liane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Ulf K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Teichgräber
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamm
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Bucourt
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D003199:Computer Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007278:Injections, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface