MR MYELOGRAPHY OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE

In previous studies, magnetic resonance (MR) myelography was not effec tive in the cervical region, However, effective cervical MR myelograph y is possible with a modified fast spin-echo sequence (8,000/360 [repe tition time msec/effective echo time msec], four signals averaged, ech o train length of 24), In a clinical study of this protocol, MR myelog raphy was performed as an additional sequence following conventional M R imaging; composite images were obtained with a maximum-intensity pro jection algorithm, The MR myelographic sequence added only 8.5 minutes to the total imaging time and yielded information not provided by MR imaging in 13% of patients. MR myelography was especially valuable in demonstrating abnormal intraspinal vascularity and in guiding patient treatment by providing detailed preoperative information about intradu ral masses and posttraumatic and postoperative diverticulum and mening ocele. This MR myelographic technique is a useful adjunct to MR imagin g, especially in cases in which the more detailed information provided will be helpful in the analysis of complex intraspinal disease.