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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 24:1254-1256, June-July 2003
© 2003 American Society of Neuroradiology

Technical Note
SPINE

Sensitivity-Encoded Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging of the Cervical Cord

Mara Cercignani^a, Mark A. Horsfield^b, Federica Agosta^a and Massimo Filippi^a

^a Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neuroscience,Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
^b Division of Medical Physics, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom

Address reprint requests to Massimo Filippi, Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano, Italy

Summary: The aim of this study was to apply sensitivity-encoding (SENSE) echo-planar imaging (EPI) to diffusion tensor MR imaging of the cervical cord, an anatomic region where MR imaging is particularly challenging. This technique was implemented with a SENSE reduction factor of 2 and used for imaging a water phantom and five healthy volunteers. Off-resonance artifacts were notably reduced compared with those of full-FOV EPI sequences. This approach to diffusion tensor MR imaging of the cervical cord is promising for future, more extensive clinical applications.