NMR imaging of the spine

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.141.6.1137· OSTI ID:5027646

Han, J S ^[1]; Kaufman, B; El Yousef, S J; Benson, J E; Bonstelle, C T; Alfidi, R J; Haaga, J R; Yeung, H; Huss, R G

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1. Case Western Reserve Univ. School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH

The usefulness of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) images in the evaluation of spinal disorders below the craniocervical junction was studied. Six normal subjects and 41 patients with various spinal abnormalities were examined. NMR proved capable of demonstrating important normal and pathologic anatomic structures; it was useful in the evaluation of syringohydromyelia and cystic spinal cord tumors, and the bright signal intensity of lipoma was quite impressive. In the evaluation of herniated disk, NMR images offered a new perspective by visualizing abnormal degradation of the signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus itself. NMR images were least valuable in the evaluation of spondylosis and spinal stenosis. Although NMR imaging of the spine is still in a very early developmental stage, the absence of both ionizing radiation and risks associated with contrast material makes it especially attractive as a new diagnostic method. This limited experience with currently available equipment suggests that, with technical refinement, the efficacy of NMR of the spine will increase.

• OSTI ID: 5027646
• Journal Information: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Journal Name: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States) Vol. 141:6; ISSN AAJRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANATOMY
BODY
DIAGNOSIS
DISEASES
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RESONANCE
RF SYSTEMS
SKELETAL DISEASES
SKELETON
SPIN ECHO
VERTEBRAE