Aims and objectives
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves which supply motor and sensory innervation to the upper extremities.
Abnormalities of brachial plexus can impair the function of the upper limbs and affect life quality.
Magnetic resonance neurography is a perfect technique to show the course of nerves and their abnormal conditions,
especially with the rapid improvements in coil technology and software.The conventional sequence applied in brachial plexus MRI is T2WI FS TSE sequence.
However,
the peripheral blood vessels can affect the visualization of nerve bundles...
Methods and materials
19 patientswith suspected brachial plexus lesions were prospectively collected.
iMSDE STIR TSE sequence and FS TSE sequence were performed on each patient.
The obtained images were reviewed and scored by two neuroradiologists.
4 points scoring was used according to homogeneity of image signal,
suppression of vascular signals,
display of smaller nerves and artifacts.
Consensus was reached between 2 radiologists.
The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare difference of image quality scores between the two sequences,
andP<0.05 was statistically significant.
Results
MR examination of brachial plexus was successfully performed in 19 patients.
The iMSDE STIR TSE sequence could clearly show the course,
structure and signal characteristics of brachial plexus with good vascular signal suppression,
fewer artifacts,
better display of smaller nerves,
better signal homogeneity,
and higher image quality scores than conventional FS TSE sequence.
The difference of scores was statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Of the 19 patients,
12 showed normal brachial plexus,
4 showed brachial plexus injury,
1 showed tumor,
1 showed swelling,
and 1...
Conclusion
iMSDE STIR TSE sequence in brachial plexus MRI can suppress the signal of peripheral blood vessels,
and image quality is better than that of conventional FS TSE sequence.
It has a good application value in brachial plexus MR imaging.
References
[1]Chhabra A,
et al.
MR neurography: advances.
Radiol Res Pract.
2013;2013:809568.
[2]Zhu C,
et al.
Optimization of improved motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMSDE) blood suppression for carotid artery wall imaging.
J Cardiovasc Magn Reson.
2014;16:61.