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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

Published ahead of print on March 13, 2008
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A0994

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High-Resolution Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging of the Human Lumbosacral Plexus and Its Branches Based on a Steady-State Free Precession Imaging Technique at 3T

Z.W. Zhang^a, L.J. Song^b, Q.F. Meng^a, Z.P. Li^a, B.N. Luo^a, Y.H. Yang^a and Z. Pei^b

^a Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
^b Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China

View larger version (8K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 1. The 3D DW-SSFP sequence diagram used in the study. Diffusion gradients in the section direction were applied to reduce the signal intensity of fluid along the axis, and flow-compensation gradients in the read direction were applied to reduce motion sensitivity along this axis. DG indicates diffusion gradient; ACQ, acquisition; RF, radio-frequency; GS, section-selection gradient, Gp, phase-encoding gradient, Gr, read-out gradient.

View larger version (80K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 2. A–C, Thin-section (20 mm) coronal reconstruction MR images in a 45-year-old volunteer obtained with a 3D DW-SSFP sequence. These reconstruction planes clearly demonstrate the LSP and its components.

View larger version (77K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 3. A, Thin-section (20 mm) oblique sagittal reconstruction plane in a 35-year-old volunteer clearly demonstrates the components of the sacral plexus. B, Thin-section (20 mm) oblique sagittal reconstruction plane in a 28-year-old volunteer. The relationship between the nerves and the piriformis muscle is clearly defined. C, The tiny branches of LSP are shown. The white arrow indicates the superior gluteal nerve, the black arrow indicates the posterior cutaneous nerves of thigh, and the arrowhead indicates the sciatic nerve

View larger version (79K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 4. A–C, Curved thin-section (20 mm) coronal reconstruction MR images in a 29-year-old volunteer obtained with a 3D DW-SSFP sequence. The curved reconstruction plane (A) along the ganglion clearly demonstrates the ganglions of LSP bilaterally, the curved reconstruction plane (B) along the obturator nerve clearly demonstrates the obturator nerve (white arrow), and the curved reconstruction plane (C) along the left obturator nerve clearly demonstrates the obturator nerve (white arrow) and its branches (white arrowhead).