A stepless, pneumatically operated motion apparatus for the dynamic MRI ofthe cervical spine.

Purpose: To develop and evaluate a new, pneumatically operated motion appar atus for the dynamic functional MR examination of the cervical spine. Mater ials and Methods: A metal-free, pneumatically operated motion apparatus for functional dynamic MR imaging of the cervical spine was developed with res pect to the geometry of a short-bore, superconducting high-field MR system. The examination protocol included a T-2-weighted multi-slice turbospin ech o sequence (T-2-TSE, TR/TE = 2610/115, matrix 254/512) and a dynamic T-2-we ighted single-shot sequence (T-2-TSE, TR/TE = 1110/110, matrix 255/256, acq uisition time 1 s) in a sagittal plane. In order to evaluate the new motion apparatus and the examination protocol, 10 healthy subjects and 10 patient s were examined. Results: The new motion apparatus allowed us to perform a passive stepless inclination and reclination motion of the patient's cervic al spine within the MR scanner without leaving the magnet bore. The maximum motion degrees of the cervical spine were within -35 degrees (reclination) and 30 degrees (inclination). Due to the T-2-contrast and the high spatial resolution of the dynamic sequence, the myelon, the surrounding cerebrospi nal fluid and the discoligamental structures were imaged with a good contra st and allowed a sufficient evaluation of the cervical spinal channel in al l functional positions. Conclusions: This new motion apparatus allows a sta ndardized and stepless dynamic functional MR examination in a short-bore hi gh-field MR scanner. By the use of fast T-2-weighted spin echo sequences it has been shown to be of high value for the evaluation of the cervical myel on, the anterior and posterior cerebrospinal fluid and the discoligamental structures.