Assessment of the visual pathways in patients with neurofibromatosis-1 by 3d-space technique at 3-tesla

Abstract

Background/aim: We aimed to evaluate the size/tortuosity of the optic nerve (ON) and the dilatation of the ON sheath (ONS) in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) patients with 3T-MRI, and to assess the usefulness of 3D-SPACE in imaging the optic pathway, ON, and ONS in NF-1 patients. Materials and methods: Twenty consecutive NF-1 patients without optic pathway glioma (OPG) (Group 1), 16 consecutive NF-1 patients with OPG (Group 2), and 19 controls were included in this study. The thickness and tortuosity of the ON and the diameter of the ONS were measured on STIR and 3D-SPACE images. Results: The thickness of the ON was similar in all groups on STIR images (P>0.05). The mean ONS diameter was higher in Group 2 with this sequence (P=0.009). Controls had significantly lower grades of ON tortuosity than Groups 1 and 2 (P=0.001), and Group 1 had significantly lower ON tortuosity compared to Group 2 (P=0.001). Severe tortuosity was only detected in Group 2. Conclusion: ON tortuosity and ONS diameter were increased in NF-1 patients in the presence of OPG. High-resolution cranium imaging with the 3D-SPACE technique using 3T-MRI seems to be helpful for detection of the optic pathway morphology and pathologies in NF-1 patients.

Feasibility of 3D T1W sequences in contrast-material enhanced MR cisternography at 3T

“…3D-T1W turbo spin-echo technique (also called 3D-SPACE or 3D sampling perfection and application-optimized contrasts using the different flip-angle evolutions) was recently introduced for high-field MR units since they offer high-resolution isotropic data with various image contrasts and low specific absorption rate values for the whole cranium within a short time [ 3 ]. Isotropic 3D-SPACE acquisitions facilitate multiplanar, oblique, and/or freehand curved reconstructions to better evaluate the contrast-media leakages and intracranial complex lesions/structures [ 4 ]. 3D-T1W-SPACE and 3D-VIBE sequences have higher contrast-to-noise ratios and visual conspicuity ratings compared with 3D-MPRAGE [ 5 ].…”