Abstract #2576

Determining Spinal Cord pH using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI

Alicia Cronin^1,2, Patrick Liebig³, Sarah Detombe⁴, Neil Duggal⁴, and Robert Bartha^1,2

¹Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, ²Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, ³Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany, ⁴Clinical Neurological Sciences, University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is one of the most common forms of spinal cord dysfunction. Predicting functional recovery after surgery remains elusive. Pathophysiological mechanisms, like ischemia and hypoxia in the spinal cord, could impact recovery after surgery. Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) produces image contrast based on the rate of exchange of amine and amide protons. This exchange rate is dependent on tissue pH, creating a pH-weighted contrast. CEST imaging in the spinal cord incorporating respiratory correction could be used to examine tissue pathology caused by hypoxia in DCM and other spinal cord injuries.

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