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Technological Advancements in Magnetic Resonance Neurography

  • Nerve and Muscle (L.H. Weimer, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is being increasingly used as a problem-solving tool for diagnosis and management of peripheral neuropathies. This review is aimed at summarizing important technological advances, including MR pulse sequence and surface coil developments, which have facilitated MRN’s use in clinical practice.

Recent Findings

The most recent research in MRN focuses on its clinical applications, with concomitant development of three-dimensional, parallel imaging and vascular suppression techniques that facilitate higher spatial resolution and depiction of small nerve branches arising from the brachial and lumbosacral plexi as well as fascicular abnormalities of more distal extremity nerves. Quantitative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been studied as a tool to detect microstructural abnormalities of peripheral nerves and more precisely define grades of nerve injury but will require additional investigation to determine its role in daily clinical practice.

Summary

MRN continues to evolve due to technological improvements and awareness by the medical community of its capabilities. Additional technological developments related to surface coil designs and vascular suppression techniques will be needed to move the field forward.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Drs. Fraser Robb and Yun-Jeong Stickle from GE Healthcare, Inc., in Aurora, OH, for designing and building the 64-channel prototype brachial plexus coil mentioned in this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Darryl B. Sneag & Sophie Queler

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  1. Darryl B. Sneag
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  2. Sophie Queler
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Correspondence to Darryl B. Sneag.

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Conflict of Interest

Darryl B. Sneag and Sophie Queler report the Hospital for Special Surgery has an institutional research agreement with GE Healthcare.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Sneag, D.B., Queler, S. Technological Advancements in Magnetic Resonance Neurography. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 19, 75 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-019-0996-x

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