Magnetization transfer weighted imaging in the upper cervical spinal cord using cerebrospinal fluid as intersubject...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Biophysics

Background:

• Magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) is a quantitative MRI technique for assessing tissue microstructure.
• MTR quantification in the spinal cord faces challenges like low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and motion sensitivity at high spatial resolution.
• Existing MTR methods may not be optimal for detecting subtle changes in spinal cord white matter.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the suitability of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as an alternative inter-subject reference for MT signal intensity in the spine.
• To assess the potential of CSF as a novel internal standard for MT imaging of the spinal cord.
• To demonstrate the utility of this new method in detecting early myelination changes.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the use of CSF as an internal standard for MT signal intensity in spinal cord MRI at 1.5 T.
• Compared the performance of the CSF standard against conventional MTR quantification.
• Applied the CSF method to patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy, a spinal cord white matter disease.

Main Results:

• The CSF-based MT signal intensity reference (MTCSF) was evaluated as an alternative to MTR.
• MTCSF does not correct for T(1), T(2), and spin density contrasts, unlike MTR.
• MTCSF shows potential for detecting initial myelination changes not visible with conventional MRI, as demonstrated in adrenomyeloneuropathy.

Conclusions:

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can serve as a viable internal reference for MT signal intensity in spinal cord imaging.
• This MTCSF approach may detect early myelination alterations missed by conventional MRI techniques.
• The method shows promise for studying spinal cord white matter diseases like adrenomyeloneuropathy.