Abstract
SUMMARY: High-resolution MRN is becoming increasingly available due to recent technical advancements, including higher magnetic field strengths (eg, 3T), 3D image acquisition, evolution of novel fat-suppression methods, and improved coil design. This review describes the MRN techniques for obtaining high-quality images of the peripheral nerves and their small branches and imaging findings in normal as well as injured nerves with relevant intraoperative correlations. Various microsurgical techniques in peripheral nerves, such as neurolysis, nerve repairs by using nerve grafts, and conduits are discussed, and MRN findings of surgically treated nerves are demonstrated.
Footnotes
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- AP
- anteroposterior
- CPN
- common peroneal nerve
- IV
- intravenous
- LPN
- lateral plantar nerve
- LR
- left-to-right
- MIP
- maximum intensity projection
- MPN
- medial plantar nerve
- MPR
- multiplanar reconstruction
- MRN
- MR neurography
- SI
- signal intensity
- SNR
- signal-to-noise ratio
- SPACE
- sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions
- SPAIR
- spectral-attenuated inversion recovery
- STIR
- short tau inversion recovery
- T1WI
- T1-weighted imaging
- T2WI
- T2-weighted imaging
- TSE
- turbo spin-echo
- © 2012 American Society of Neuroradiology
Indicates open access to non-subscribers at www.ajnr.org