OBLIQUE MRI AS A USEFUL ADJUNCT IN EVALUATION OF CERVICAL FORAMINAL IMPINGEMENT

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is considered the gold standard for so ft-tissue disease. The traditional MR imaging series uses axial and sa gittal views. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that obliqu e MR imaging provides valuable information about the cervical foramen not available from the conventional MR imaging technique. Ten asymptom atic individuals volunteered for MR imaging. Measurements were taken o f height, width, and area for the nerves and foramen at the entrance a nd mid zones. Nerves were graded as normal, contacted, or deformed. No rmal foraminal morphology in asymptomatic individuals and characterist ics that compromise the space available for the nerve root were identi fied. Nerves with minimal or no contact had significantly greater fora minal widths than nerves with significant contact. Although there was a correlation between nerve contact and foraminal width, regression an alysis did not demonstrate a correlation between disc height and foram inal size.