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Oscillatory motion of the normal cervical spinal cord
D J Mikulis1, M L Wood, O A Zerdoner
1Department of Radiology, Toronto Hospital-Western Division, Ontario, Canada.
Radiology
|July 1, 1994
Summary
The cervical spinal cord exhibits normal oscillatory motion in the craniocaudal direction, with peak velocity occurring after cardiac systole. This finding is based on phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging measurements in healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biophysics
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Understanding normal cervical spinal cord motion is crucial for diagnosing neurological disorders.
- Phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers a non-invasive method to assess fluid and tissue motion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the typical pattern of cervical spinal cord movement.
- To quantify cervical spinal cord velocity using phase-contrast MR imaging.
Main Methods:
- Phase-contrast MR imaging with a modified gradient-echo sequence was employed on a 1.5-T system.
- Prospective electrocardiogram gating synchronized velocity measurements with the cardiac cycle.
- Velocity measurements were validated using a phantom with known motion.
Main Results:
- The cervical spinal cord demonstrated an oscillatory craniocaudal motion pattern.
- Maximum caudal velocity averaged 7.0 mm/sec +/- 1.4, occurring ~109 msec after cardiac systole.
- Subsequent oscillations showed decreasing velocities before the next cardiac cycle.
Conclusions:
- The cervical spinal cord undergoes rhythmic oscillations synchronized with the cardiac cycle.
- Phase-contrast MR imaging successfully characterized normal cervical spinal cord motion.