Diffusion-weighted MR neurography of the tibial nerve and the common peroneal nerve with different motion probing gradients

• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1005-1201.2014.03.014
• Publication Date: 2014-03-10
• Authors: Lianxin Zhao; Guangbin Wang
• Keywords: Common peroneal nerve; Magnetic resonance neurography; Tibial nerve; Superficial peroneal nerve

Objective To compare the image quality of diffusion-weighted MR neurography (DW-MRN) tibial nerve and common peroneal prospectively using different motion probing gradients (MPGs).Methods A total 21 healthy volunteers underwent DW-MRN at knee (unilateral imaging) on a 3.0 T magnetic resonance system with unidirectional MPGs.The protocol included anteriorposterior unidirectional,right-left unidirectional,three-directional six-directional apparent SNR CNR were calculated.Three-dimensional MIP images nerves evaluated blindly by two radiologists four-point grading scale basis entirety depiction signal intensity.Significance was determined Friedman paired Wilcoxon tests.Results The anterior-posterior,right-left,three directional six MPGs 4.17 (2.70-5.65),4.35 (0.47-4.69),3.46 (2.27-4.62) 3.30 (2.06-4.43),respectively.CNR 0.61 (0.46-0.70),0.63 (0.36-0.73),0.55 (0.39-0.64) 0.53(0.35-0.63),respectively.The scores 4.0 (2.0-4.0),4.0 (3.0-4.0),2.5 (2.0-3.5),2.0 (1.0-2.5),respectively.Interobserver agreement good Kappa value 0.69 (P ＜ 0.05).The anteriorposterior,right-left,three 3.05 (2.30-4.20),3.05 (2.26-4.34),2.72 (1.84-13.80) 2.68 (1.87-3.67),respectively.CNR 0.51 (0.39-0.62),0.51 (0.39-0.63),0.46(0.30-0.86) 0.46(0.30-0.57),respectively.The 3.5 (2.0-4.0),2.0 (1.0-3.0) 2.0 0.70(P ＜0.05).For SNR,CNR nerves,there significant differences among (x2 =215.01,215.01,60.49 182.82,182.82,60.22,respectively,P 0.05).SNR,CNR better than those three-directional sixdirectional (Z =-6.90-4.03,P right-left direction anterior-posterior =-3.53,-3.41,P 0.05),but there no difference between =-0.58,P ＞ 0.05).DW-MRN that =-3.00,-2.80,-3.92,P 0.05).There MPGs,or =-1.94--0.31,P 0.05).Conclusions has capability to provide three-dimensional visualization nerves,and is three or MPGs.

Key words: Diffusion imaging; Tibial nerve; Common