Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the spinal cord

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2000 Mar;21(3):587-91.

Abstract

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging may increase the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging for certain pathologic conditions of the spinal cord but is rarely performed because of several technical issues. We therefore tested a novel phase-navigated spin-echo diffusion-weighted interleaved echo-planar imaging sequence in seven healthy volunteers and six patients with intramedullary lesions. We performed diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the spinal cord with high spatial resolution. Different patterns of diffusion abnormalities observed in patient studies support the possible diagnostic impact of diffusion-weighted MR imaging for diseases of the spinal cord.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Echo-Planar Imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Spinal Cord / anatomy & histology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis