Spinal MR imaging: multiplanar representation from a single high resolution 3D acquisition

Evaluation of spinal disorders by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is facilitated by the availability of images in multiple angles and views. Imaging in multiple angles is practically limited, however, by clinically prohibitive scan times, if separate acquisitions are necessary for each angle. Thin slices (0.8 mm) without interslice gaps are acquired with a three-dimensional (3D) acquisition. Images with high anatomical detail are rapidly derived from the single 3D data set in any desired plane without repeating the scan. High quality MR images in multiple planes improve the diagnostic capability of MR for many spinal abnormalities. This technique is demonstrated in a series of 11 subjects.