Abstract #1891

Measurement of Dorsal Root Ganglia Volume for Patients with Low Back Pain by MR Neurography

Misung Han¹, Felix Liu¹, Christine Park^1,2, Cynthia T Chin¹, and Sharmila Majumdar^1,3

¹Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States, ²Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States, ³UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Peripheral Nerves, Nerves, Degenerative

Motivation: Multiple studies have shown volumetric changes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in association with various neuropathies, but volumetric changes in patients with low back pain are not much known.

Goal(s): To check a semi-automatic region-growing technique can be used to segment DRG on 3D MR neurography images and to determine if DRG volumes differ in patients.

Approach: 3D MR neurography images were acquired from 10 patients and 4 control subjects at 3T. Segmentation algorithms were applied for DRG volume measurement, and measured volumes were compared between control and patient groups.

Results: Lower DRG volumes were measured with patients.

Impact: Through a semi-automatic 3D region growing technique, dorsal root ganglia volume can be efficiently measured with 3D MR neurography. Morphological assessment of dorsal root ganglia might help to understand overall lumbar spine pathology and low back pain.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.