Summary
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance neurography (DW-MR neurography) is a recently developed technique based on DW-MRI, and represents a ground-breaking step forward towards the selective imaging of peripheral nerves. DW-MR neurography uses conventional diffusion gradient encoding rather than diffusion-tensor imaging because the former results in superior visualization of the peripheral nervous system compared to the latter when the same image acquisition time is applied. DW-MR neurography allows for three-dimensional rendering of the peripheral nerves, hence has the potential to improve the diagnosis of peripheral nerve disorders, optimize lesion localization, and may also enable a faster and more straightforward evaluation of the extent of neural dysfunction compared with electrophysiological studies or conventional MR imaging sequences.
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Takahara, T., Kwee, T.C. (2010). MR Neurography: Imaging of the Peripheral Nerves. In: Koh, D.M., Thoeny, H.C. (eds) Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging. Medical Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-78576-7_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-78576-7_4
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