Delineation of optic radiation and stria of Gennari on high-resolution phase difference enhanced imaging

Phase difference enhanced (PADRE) imaging technique can selectively enhanced the phase difference between the target and surrounding tissue. Our purpose is to assess the delineations of the optic radiation and primary visual cortex (stria of Gennari) using PADRE.

The subjects were 6 healthy volunteers. Axial and coronal high-spatial resolution PADRE images were acquired covering the entire optic radiation using a 3T magnetic resonance system. Two radiologists evaluated the PADRE and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI)-like images for the delineation of four layers at the optic radiation (tapetum, internal sagittal stratum, external sagittal stratum, and adjacent white matter) on the basis of the anatomic appearances of the cadaveric specimens stained with Bodian's method and Kluver-Barrera method. The radiologists also assessed the delineations of the stria of Gennari on PADRE and SWI-like images.

In all 6 healthy subjects, the PADRE images clearly identified the four layers at the optic radiation, as well as the stria of Gennari, which were difficult to appreciate in SWI-like images. The anatomic appearances of the optic radiation on PADRE images were more similar to those seen in the specimens stained with Kluver-Barrera method than with Bodian's method.

The PADRE technique can delineate the four layers at the optic radiation and the stria of Gennari; the differences in myelin densities can also be enhanced. The PADRE technique may have the potential to reinforce the clinical utility of MRI in the diagnosis of diseases that affect the optic radiation and primary visual cortex.