Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Segmented echo planar MR imaging of the brachial plexus with inversion recovery magnetization preparation at 3.0T
Zhongwei Zhang1, Laijing Song, Quanfei Meng
1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Purpose:
To evaluate the image quality of segmented echo planar MRI with inversion recovery magnetization preparation (seg-IR-EPI) to depict the anatomy and pathologic changes involving the brachial plexus.
Materials And Methods:
The coronal seg-IR-EPI sequence was performed on 30 healthy volunteers and 20 patients. Postprocessing techniques were used to generate images of brachial plexus and the images acquired were qualitatively evaluated by two experienced radiologists based on grading of the morphological images. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and nerve soft tissue contrast-to-noise-ratios (CNRs) were calculated and the normalized SNR (SNRn) and the normalized CNR (CNRn) were compared with the STIR TSE sequence.
Results:
Although seg-IR-EPI had more ghosting artifacts than STIR TSE, excellent general image appearance with minor blurring can be achieved with seg-IR-EPI. In all healthy volunteers the means of CNRn were significantly greater for seg-IR-EPI than for STIR-TSE, while the means of SNRn were significantly lower for seg-IR-EPI than for STIR-TSE.
Conclusion:
In the present study the seg-IR-EPI sequence obtained uniform fat suppression and high-contrast T2-weighted images of brachial plexus. Our data suggest that the seg-IR-EPI sequence may provide high fidelity in evaluating brachial plexus.
Insights
The segmented inversion recovery echo planar MRI (seg-IR-EPI) sequence offers high-contrast T2-weighted images for brachial plexus evaluation. This technique provides uniform fat suppression and may be highly effective for depicting brachial plexus anatomy and pathology.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The brachial plexus is crucial for upper limb function.
- Accurate imaging of the brachial plexus is essential for diagnosing various pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the image quality of segmented echo planar MRI with inversion recovery magnetization preparation (seg-IR-EPI).
- To evaluate seg-IR-EPI's effectiveness in depicting brachial plexus anatomy and pathology.
Main Methods:
- Coronal seg-IR-EPI sequence was used in 30 healthy volunteers and 20 patients.
- Images were qualitatively evaluated by radiologists for morphological grading.
- Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated and compared to STIR TSE.
Main Results:
- seg-IR-EPI demonstrated excellent general image appearance with minor blurring, despite more ghosting artifacts than STIR TSE.
- Normalized CNR (CNRn) was significantly greater with seg-IR-EPI compared to STIR-TSE.
- Normalized SNR (SNRn) was significantly lower with seg-IR-EPI compared to STIR-TSE.
Conclusions:
- The seg-IR-EPI sequence achieves uniform fat suppression and high-contrast T2-weighted imaging of the brachial plexus.
- seg-IR-EPI shows potential for high-fidelity evaluation of the brachial plexus.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI