OBJECTIVE: The two-dimensional multi-echo recombined gradient echo (MERGE) technique automatically acquires and sums multiple gradient echoes at various echo times in cervical spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. This technique increases the grey-white matter contrast within the spinal cord and should also improve the depiction of cervical cord lesions. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate MERGE imaging compared with T2-weighted fast spin-echo (T2WFSE) imaging for depicting multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions in the cervical cord. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (10 males and 9 females; age range 22-62 years, mean age 43.6 years) with clinically diagnosed MS were examined with cervical spinal cord MR imaging at 3 T including both MERGE and T2WFSE imaging. Qualitative evaluation for MS lesion conspicuity was performed. The quantitative criterion utilized to compare MERGE imaging with T2WFSE imaging was the lesion-to-background contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). RESULTS: MERGE imaging showed 79 lesions and missed 1 that was depicted on T2WFSE imaging. T2WFSE imaging showed 46 lesions and missed 34 that were depicted on MERGE imaging. MERGE imaging was markedly superior to T2WFSE imaging in rendering greater lesion conspicuity. In the quantitative evaluation, the lesion-to-background CNR upon MERGE imaging was significantly higher than that upon T2WFSE imaging (P < 0.001, paired t-test). CONCLUSIONS: MERGE imaging in the cervical spinal cord increases detection and conspicuity of MS lesions. Strong consideration should be given to utilizing axial MERGE images in the diagnosis and follow-up study of cervical cord MS.
OBJECTIVE: The two-dimensional multi-echo recombined gradient echo (MERGE) technique automatically acquires and sums multiple gradient echoes at various echo times in cervical spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. This technique increases the grey-white matter contrast within the spinal cord and should also improve the depiction of cervical cord lesions. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate MERGE imaging compared with T2-weighted fast spin-echo (T2WFSE) imaging for depicting multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions in the cervical cord. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (10 males and 9 females; age range 22-62 years, mean age 43.6 years) with clinically diagnosed MS were examined with cervical spinal cord MR imaging at 3 T including both MERGE and T2WFSE imaging. Qualitative evaluation for MS lesion conspicuity was performed. The quantitative criterion utilized to compare MERGE imaging with T2WFSE imaging was the lesion-to-background contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). RESULTS: MERGE imaging showed 79 lesions and missed 1 that was depicted on T2WFSE imaging. T2WFSE imaging showed 46 lesions and missed 34 that were depicted on MERGE imaging. MERGE imaging was markedly superior to T2WFSE imaging in rendering greater lesion conspicuity. In the quantitative evaluation, the lesion-to-background CNR upon MERGE imaging was significantly higher than that upon T2WFSE imaging (P < 0.001, paired t-test). CONCLUSIONS: MERGE imaging in the cervical spinal cord increases detection and conspicuity of MS lesions. Strong consideration should be given to utilizing axial MERGE images in the diagnosis and follow-up study of cervical cord MS.
Authors: Joost C J Bot; Frederik Barkhof; Geert Lycklama à Nijeholt; Dirkjan van Schaardenburg; Alexandre E Voskuyl; Herman J Ader; Jolanda A L Pijnenburg; Chris H Polman; Bernard M J Uitdehaag; Erik G J Vermeulen; Jonas A Castelijns Journal: Radiology Date: 2002-04 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: Geert Lycklama; Alan Thompson; Massimo Filippi; David Miller; Chris Polman; Franz Fazekas; Frederik Barkhof Journal: Lancet Neurol Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 44.182
Authors: Wim van Hecke; Guy Nagels; Griet Emonds; Alexander Leemans; Jan Sijbers; Johan van Goethem; Paul M Parizel Journal: J Magn Reson Imaging Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 4.813
Authors: A R Martin; B De Leener; J Cohen-Adad; D W Cadotte; S Kalsi-Ryan; S F Lange; L Tetreault; A Nouri; A Crawley; D J Mikulis; H Ginsberg; M G Fehlings Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2017-04-20 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: A R Martin; B De Leener; J Cohen-Adad; D W Cadotte; S Kalsi-Ryan; S F Lange; L Tetreault; A Nouri; A Crawley; D J Mikulis; H Ginsberg; M G Fehlings Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2017-04-20 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Arzu Ozturk; Nafi Aygun; Seth A Smith; Brian Caffo; Peter A Calabresi; Daniel S Reich Journal: Neuroradiology Date: 2012-12-04 Impact factor: 2.804
Authors: Karupppasamy Subburaj; Alexander Valentinitsch; Alexander B Dillon; Gabby B Joseph; Xiaojuan Li; Thomas M Link; Thomas P Vail; Sharmila Majumdar Journal: Magn Reson Imaging Date: 2013-05-16 Impact factor: 2.546
Authors: Silvan Büeler; Marios C Yiannakas; Zdravko Damjanovski; Patrick Freund; Martina D Liechti; Gergely David Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2022-10-03 Impact factor: 4.996