High Resolution 3T MR Neurography of the Lumbosacral Plexus

Abstract

Clinical examination and electrodiagnostic testing comprise the traditional methods of diagnostic investigation in peripheral nerve disease. These are excellent tools to assess function of peripheral nerves but can be limited in localizing visualization of peripheral nerves at the fascicular level (Bäumer et al.,2012). Routine protocols for MR imaging of the lumbar segments of the spinal cord provide excellent visualization of the spinal axis, including the central canal and foramina, but do not show the extraforaminal ventral rami, lumbosacral plexus, or sciatic nerve well (Moore et al.,2001). Recent developments in MR scanner and coil technology and the refinement of pulse sequences for increasing structural resolution have allowed imaging of fine details in healthy and diseased peripheral nerve (Bäumer et al., 2012). Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN ) techniques describe