Abstract
SUMMARY: Two new 3T MR imaging contrast methods, track density imaging and echo modulation curve T2 mapping, were combined with simultaneous multisection acquisition to reveal exquisite anatomic detail at 7 canonical levels of the brain stem. Compared with conventional MR imaging contrasts, many individual brain stem tracts and nuclear groups were directly visualized for the first time at 3T. This new approach is clinically practical and feasible (total scan time = 20 minutes), allowing better brain stem anatomic localization and characterization.
ABBREVIATIONS:
- DEC
- direction-encoded color
- EMC
- echo modulation curve
- MLF
- medial longitudinal fasciculus
- PD
- proton-density
- stDEC-TDI
- short-track direction-encoded color track density imaging
- stTDI
- short-track track density imaging
- TDI
- track density imaging
- © 2016 by American Journal of Neuroradiology
Indicates open access to non-subscribers at www.ajnr.org
