Magnetization transfer weighted imaging in the upper cervical spinal cord using cerebrospinal fluid as intersubject normalization reference (MTCSF imaging).

[adrenomyeloneuropathy]

The magnetization transfer ratio (MTR ) is a reliable measure of MT effects because it employs an internal standard that allows quantitative comparison between subjects , independent of other contrasts , coil loading , and coil sensitivity profiles . However , at very high spatial resolution in the spinal cord at 1 .5 T , the use of MTR quantification has been hampered by low signal-to -noise ratio (SNR ) and acute sensitivity to motion . Here , the suitability of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF ) as an alternative inter-subject MT signal intensity reference for the spine is evaluated . Contrary to MTR , this so -called MTCSF internal standard does not remove interfering T (1 ), T (2 ), and spin density contrast and is not expected to be able to discriminate between myelination and inflammation effects . However , it can detect initial changes in myelination when signal alterations are not yet detectable by conventional MRI . As a first example , this is demonstrated for the noninflammatory spinal cord white matter disease adrenomyeloneuropathy .

Diseases
Validation

Diseases presenting "low signal-to-noise ratio" symptom

adrenomyeloneuropathy

locked-in syndrome

You can validate or delete this automatically detected symptom