CERVICAL MYELOGRAM LUMBAR MYELOGRAM
Technique
Single-slice MR myelography was performed using a single-shot turbo spin-echo sequence with extremely long effective TE. The imaging parameters for the cervicothoracic spine in 1.5 TESLA were TR/TE, infinite/1200-1400; echo-train length, 256; signal averaged, one; and imaging time, 2.8 sec. In the lumbar spine, an inversion pulse was applied to completely suppress the fat signal. The scan parameters were TR/TE, infinite/1200-1600; inversion time, 150; echo-train length, 256; signals averaged, four; and imaging time, 32 sec. The spatial resolution (pixel size) for the cervicothoracic and lumbar spine were 0.98 × 0.98 mm and 0.55 × 0.55 mm, respectively. In each patient, three images (in coronal and in bilateral oblique coronal directions) were obtained with a slice thickness of 40-60 mm. Single-slice MR myelographic images were displayed with midsagittal T2-weighted MR images, which allow better anatomic resolution.
