Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast imaging at 7T for spinal cord perfusion mapping in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy patients

The performance of Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast imaging at 7T for spinal cord perfusion mapping within clinical constraints was investigated. A cardiac-gated spin-echo EPI sequence with 0.7x0.7mm² in-plane resolution was used in one healthy volunteer and two Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy patients. Relative blood volume and flow maps successfully revealed the higher perfusion of gray matter versus white matter for the volunteer and one patient. Results were limited for the patient with greater functional impairment and disadvantageous acquisition conditions. Although human spinal cord perfusion has never been mapped as precisely, several issues remain to address (image distortions, Specific-Absorption-Rate limitations, Arterial Input Function).