title: Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Three-Dimensional Sequence for Lumbar Nerve Root with Intervertebral Foramen.
abstract: METHODS
  Prospective study based on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the lumbar spinal root of the intervertebral foramen.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was to compare MR three-dimensional (3D) sequences for the evaluation of the lumbar spinal root of the intervertebral foramen.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of spinal disorders by MR imaging is commonly performed using two-dimensional T1- and T2-weighted images, whereas 3D MR images can be used for acquiring further detailed data using thin slices with multi-planar reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  On twenty healthy volunteers, we investigated the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the lumbar spinal root of the intervertebral foramen with a 3D balanced sequence. The sequences used were the fast imaging employing steady state acquisition and the coherent oscillatory state acquisition for the manipulation of image contrast (COSMIC). COSMIC can be used with or without fat suppression (FS). We compared these sequence to determine the optimized visualization sequence for the lumbar spinal root of the intervertebral foramen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the CNR between the nerve root and the peripheral tissue, these were no significant differences between the sequences at the entry of foramen. There was a significant difference and the highest CNR was seen with COSMIC-FS for the intra- and extra-foramen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, the findings suggest that the COSMIC-FS sequences should be used for the internal or external foramen for spinal root disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuneo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takebayashi
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shishido
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsunori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akatsuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Terashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Masateru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagae
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshikazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashita
keywords: Coherent oscillatory state acquisition for the manipulation of image contrast; Fast imaging employing steady state acquisition; Intervertebral foramen; Lumbar nerve root; Magnetic resonance imaging; Three-dimensional