High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Neurography at 7T: A Pilot Study of Hand Innervation

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Anatomy
• Neuroscience

Background:

• 7T clinical MRI technology offers unprecedented detail for anatomical imaging.
• Understanding the precise location of sensory and motor nerves in the hand is crucial for clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the capability of 7T MRI in visualizing hand nerve structures and Pacinian corpuscles.
• To provide anatomical data for diagnostic and reconstructive surgical purposes.

Main Methods:

• High-resolution 3D MRI scans were acquired from eight hands of four healthy volunteers using a multi-transmit head coil.
• Passive B0 shimming and advanced post-processing techniques were employed to delineate nerve fibers and mechanoreceptors.
• Hands were positioned in a "superman" posture and affixed to a plate for immobilization.

Main Results:

• Digital nerves were consistently identified on the phalanges, typically 2.5–3.5 mm deep, and 1.8 mm in flexion folds.
• Nerves were located closer to bone than skin on the phalanges, with a mean 1.5 mm distance to joints.
• Pacinian corpuscles were predominantly clustered in the palmar metacarpal zone.

Conclusions:

• 7T MRI can successfully reconstruct and describe the detailed anatomy of hand nerve fibers and Pacinian corpuscles.
• This imaging modality holds significant potential for improving diagnostic accuracy and surgical interventions in hand pathologies.