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Dorsal Root Ganglion Volumetry by MR Gangliography
S Weiner1, M Strinitz1, J Herfurth1
1From the Department of Neuroradiology (S.W., M.S., J.H., F.H., C.N.-K., T.K., G.A.H., M.P., M.S.).
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|April 22, 2022
Summary
MR gangliography enables optimized dorsal root ganglion volumetry. This study validates a new method, improving accuracy over traditional ellipsoid assumptions for clinical relevance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Neuroanatomy
- Quantitative MRI
Background:
- Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) MR imaging (MR gangliography) is increasingly relevant.
- Current DRG morphometry often assumes ellipsoid geometry, lacking validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate and optimize DRG morphometry using MR imaging.
- To compare ellipsoid approximations with manual 3D segmentation for accurate volume estimation.
Main Methods:
- MR gangliography of L4-S2 levels in 64 healthy volunteers.
- Manual 3D segmentation for ground truth DRG volumes (96 DRGs).
- Comparison with ellipsoid approximations and derivation of an optimized volume estimation formula.
Main Results:
- Ellipsoid geometry significantly underestimates DRG volume (factor 0.42-0.63).
- Optimized method using principal axes lengths derived a new volume estimation formula.
- Mean volumes for L4-S2 DRGs in 510 DRGs were determined, showing significant variations (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- DRG volumetry via MR gangliography can be substantially optimized.
- The optimized method provides accurate DRG volume distribution for clinically relevant lumbosacral levels (L4-S2).
