FUNCTIONAL MRT OF THE LUMBAR SPINE IN THE OPEN MAGNET SYSTEM - FIRST RESULTS

Purpose: Description of the procedure and first results with functiona l MRI of the lumbar spine for the investigation of discoligamentous in stability. Material and method: 21 patients -11 female and 10 male - w ere studied with rapid True-FISP- and FLASH sequences. With the intent ion to document movements in maximal ante- and retroflexion a special kidney belt was used containing an inserted multi-purpose flexible coi l. With this approach reproducible functional studies can be obtained. Results: Movements in ante- and retroflexion could be performed manua lly and gradually without technical limitation of restrictions due to the equipment. The location of a patient's pain was determined by indi cation from the patient and correlated with the finding on the functio nal MR images. In 71% of patients a gain of information was obtained w ith regard to discoligamentous instability of the lumbar spine when co mpared to earlier studies (CT, MRI in neutral position). Conclusions: Functional MRI of the lumbar spine can contribute additional segmental information and contribute to further therapy planning. With this met hod discoligamentous instability can be documented, which is less like ly with static MRI in a closed MR system.