Related Experiment Videos
MR cisternography: initial experience in 41 cases
1Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35233-6830.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|October 1, 1994
Summary
MR cisternography offers superior visualization of subarachnoid structures compared to conventional MRI. This advanced technique aids in diagnosing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas and intracranial masses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has limitations in depicting the detailed anatomy of subarachnoid cisterns.
- There is a need for advanced MR techniques to enhance visualization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and its surrounding structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the initial experience with MR cisternography, a novel application of fast spin-echo MR with fat suppression.
- To compare the efficacy of MR cisternography with routine cranial MR studies in visualizing subarachnoid cisterns and their contents.
Main Methods:
- MR cisternography utilizes a heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo technique with high spatial resolution, fat suppression, and image reversal.
- A maximum-intensity projection algorithm compresses multiple sections into a composite 3D image, enhancing CSF signal intensity.
- The technique was applied to 41 patients, often as an additional sequence to conventional MR studies.
Main Results:
- MR cisternography provided crucial information not available with conventional MR in 17 out of 21 diseased cases.
- It successfully visualized CSF fistulas, aneurysm origins, tumor locations (intraaxial vs. extraaxial), and detailed pituitary gland anatomy.
- Novel observations included a CSF sleeve around the third nerve in the posterior cavernous sinus in 85% of cases.
Conclusions:
- MR cisternography demonstrates superiority over conventional MR in delineating subarachnoid space structures.
- This technique is highly recommended for evaluating cranial CSF fistulas, suprasellar and posterior fossa masses, and determining intracranial tumor location.