In vivo magnetization transfer measurements of experimental spinal cord injury in the rat

Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging techniques were implemented to study a clip compression model of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the rat. The purpose of this study was to determine if the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) co uld be used to classify the stage and severity of SCI, Two clip compression injuries were studied: mild SCI and severe SCI. MTRs were determined for g ray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) regions and the GM-WM contrast was de termined on days 1 and 7 following surgery. Despite differences in patholog ic features of mild and severe SCI, the GM-WM contrast did not allow discri mination between the two degrees of severity of SCI. WM MTR allowed differe ntiation of mild and severe SCI on day 1. These preliminary results suggest that WM MTR may provide an indication of the severity of injury in SCI. Ma gn Reson Med 45: 169-163, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.