Details of study
| Part | No. of Subjects, Sex, Age (y) | Nerve (s) Studied | Orientation to B0 | Field Strength | Coil | STIR Sequence Parameters | Result Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy volunteers | |||||||
| 1 | n = 2 F 33, M 58 | Median | 0° and 55° | 1.5 T | Planar 6 × 8 cm | 3000/30/160, 4-mm section, 12-cm FOV, 256 × 512 matrix | Increase in signal intensity in nerve from 0° to 55°. |
| 2 | n = 3 F 42, M 28, M 58 | Median | 0° and 55° | 0.5 T | Planar 6 × 8 cm | 1500/22, 33, 44, 55, 66/107, 4-mm section, 192 × 256 matrix | Increase in signal intensity and T2 in nerve from 0° to 55°. |
| 3 | n = 2 M 33, M 58 | Median | 0° and 90° in 5° or 10° increments | 1.5 T | Planar 6 × 8 cm | 3000/30/160, 4-mm section, 12-cm FOV, 256 × 256 matrix | Progressive increase in nerve signal intensity to 60° then decrease from 60° to 90°. Tendon similar. Muscle no change. |
| 4 | n = 2, F 30, M 58 | Brachial plexus and nerves in upper arm | Brachial plexus 55° (approx), nerves in upper arm 0°, (approx) | 1.5 T | Brachial plexus array | 2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 35-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix | Brachial plexus higher signal intensity than that of muscle. Exiting nerves isointense with muscle. |
| 5 | n = 2 F 30, M 58 | Ulnar nerve at elbow | 0° through 125° | 1.5 T | Pair of 10-cm circular planar coils | 2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 14-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix | Ulnar nerve isointense to muscle at 0° with increased signal intensity as it passes around condyle, isointense to muscle when at 90° to B0, then increased signal intensity in forearm at 125° to B0. |
| 6 | n = 2 F 40, M 58 | Median nerve parallel to B0 in upper arm and about 55° where wrist flexed | 0° parallel and about 55° (where flexed) | 1.5 T | Two 10-cm planar circular coils | 2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 12-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix | Nerve isointense with muscle in forearm. Increased signal intensity in nerve where flexed. |
| 7 | n = 2 M 32, M 58 | Sciatic | 0° and 55° | 1.5 T | Two 15-cm planar circular coils | 2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 20-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix | Increased signal intensity at 55° compared with 0°. |
| Patients with RA | |||||||
| 8 | n = 2 F 43, F 48 | Median | 0° and 55° | 0.5 T | Planar 6 × 8 cm | 1500/22/105, 5-mm section, 15-cm FOV | Signal intensity increase from 0° to 55° less than that for volunteers in part 2. |
Note.—RA indicates rheumatoid arthritis.