Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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Application of Spatial Modulation of Magnetization to Cervical Spinal Stenosis for Evaluation of the Hydrodynamic Changes Occurring in Cerebrospinal Fluid

  • Kwang-Hun Lee (Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Tae-Sub Chung (Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Tae Joo Jeon (Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Young Hwan Kim (Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Inje University college of Medicine Sanggye Baik Hospital) ;
  • Daisy Chien (Siemens Ltd., Medical Division) ;
  • Gerhard Laub (Siemens AG.)
  • Received : 1999.10.19
  • Accepted : 2000.02.09
  • Published : 2000.03.31
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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the hydrodynamic changes occurring in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in cervical spinal stenosis using the spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) technique. Materials and Methods: Using the SPAMM technique, 44 patients with cervical spinal stenosis and ten healthy volunteers were investigated. The degree of cervical spinal stenosis was rated as low-, intermediate-, or high-grade. Low-grade stenosis was defined as involving no effacement of the subarachnoid space, intermediate-grade as involving effacement of this space, and high-grade as involving effacement of this space, together with compressive myelopathy. The patterns of SPAMM stripes and CSF velocity were evaluated and compared between each type of spinal stenosis and normal spine. Results: Low-grade stenosis (n = 23) revealed displacement or discontinuity of stripes, while intermediate- (n = 10) and high-grade (n = 11) showed a continuous straight band at the stenotic segment. Among low-grade cases, 12 showed wave separation during the systolic phase. Peak systolic CSF velocity at C4-5 level in these cases was lower than in volunteers (p < .05), but jet-like CSF propulsion was maintained. Among intermediate-grade cases, peak systolic velocity at C1-2 level was lower than in the volunteer group, but the difference was not significant (p > .05). In high-grade stenosis, both diastolic and systolic velocities were significantly lower (p < .05). Conclusion: Various hydrodynamic changes occurring in CSF flow in cervical spinal stenosis were demonstrated by the SPAMM technique, and this may be a useful method for evaluating CSF hydrodynamic change in cervical spinal stenosis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We thank Dong Kee Kim, PhD for his assistance with statistics.

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