Diffusion-Weighted MR Neurography of Extremity Nerves and the Initial Clinical Applications

lian xin zhao¹, guang bin wang¹, Queenie Chan², wei bo chen²

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) neurography of extremity nerves and evaluate the potential clinical applications. DW MR neurography images were displayed using a three-dimensional (3D) maximum intensity projection and evaluated in forty-seven healthy volunteers and eight patients. The results indicate that DW MR neurography is feasible for providing 3D visualization of major extremity nerves. This study suggests that the use of DW MR neurography, as complementary to conventional MR imaging, will improve depiction and evaluation of nerve anatomy and pathology, and their anatomic relationship with a comprehensive overview.