title: Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spinal cord in multiple sclerosis at 7T.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is mainly attributable to cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord dysfunction. High-resolution, 7T anatomical imaging of the cervical spinal cord is presented. Image contrast between gray/white matter and lesions surpasses conventional, clinical T1- and T2-weighted sequences at lower field strengths.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the spinal cord of healthy controls and patients with MS using magnetic resonance imaging at 7T.
  
  
  METHODS
  Axial (C2-C5) T1- and T2*-weighted and sagittal T2*-/spin-density-weighted images were acquired at 7T in 13 healthy volunteers (age 22-40 years), and 15 clinically diagnosed MS patients (age 19-53 years, Extended Disability Status Scale, (EDSS) 0-3) in addition to clinical 3T scans. In healthy volunteers, a high-resolution multi-echo gradient echo scan was obtained over the same geometry at 3T. Evaluation included signal and contrast to noise ratios and lesion counts for healthy and patient volunteers, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-resolution images at 7T exceeded resolutions reported at lower field strengths. Gray and white matter were sharply demarcated and MS lesions were more readily visualized at 7T compared to clinical acquisitions, with lesions apparent at both fields. Nerve roots were clearly visualized. White matter lesion counts averaged 4.7 vs 3.1 (52% increase) per patient at 7T vs 3T, respectively (p=0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA/Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Adrienne N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Dula
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Siddharama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pawate
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA/Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Dortch
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA/Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: George-Durrett
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Bailey D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lyttle
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dethrage
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA/Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA/Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA/Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA/Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA seth.smith@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Seth A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D066193:Cervical Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; 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; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; multiple sclerosis; spinal cord 7T