PURPOSE This study attempted to improve visualization of the pelvic nervous system using the high-intensity reduction (HIRE)-nerve-SHeath signal increased with INKed rest-tissue RARE Imaging (SHINKEI) technique that involves subtracting signals of 3D heavily T2W images from SHINKEI images. We identified the optimum TE value for 3D heavily T2W images and assessed the usefulness of the HIRE-SHINKEI technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS Coronal lumbosacral plexus images were acquired from six healthy volunteers at 3 T. We optimized the TE of the 3D heavily T2-weighted (T2W) images in HIRE-SHINKEI and compared HIRE-SHINKEI images with conventional SHINKEI images with respect to nerve depiction, and vein, bladder, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal suppression using a 5-point scale. RESULTS In 3D heavily T2W images optimized by HIRE-SHINKEI technique, the signal corresponding to nerves became significantly lower at TE = 400 ms (p < 0.0005), while that of veins occurred at TE = 400 ms and 600 ms (p < 0.05). The suppression of bladder signals was significant at TE = 400, 600, and 800 ms (p < 0.05); however, there was no difference in signal inhibition from CSF at all TEs tested. Based on these results, an optimal TE of 600 ms was identified for 3D heavily T2W images; these images corresponded to the minimal loss of nerve signal and simultaneous maximum subtraction of signals from the bladder, vein, and CSF with dissimilar T2 values. Compared with SHINKEI images, the optimized HIRE-SHINKEI images selectively delineated nerves in greater detail, and along with significant signal suppression of the bladder (p < 0.0001) and veins (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION HIRE-SHINKEI can be used to better visualize the lumbosacral plexus with higher signal suppression of other pelvic structures. Such detailed Magnetic resonance neurography and selective depiction of nerves are useful for the diagnosis of peripheral nerve disorders.

中文翻译：

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结合高强度降低（HIRE）技术改进了腰神经丛中扩散准备的MR神经成像（SHINKEI）的可视化效果。

目的这项研究试图通过高强度减少（HIRE）-神经-希思信号（通过结合静息组织稀有成像（SHINKEI）技术提高信号强度）来改善骨盆神经系统的可视化，该技术涉及从SHINKEI图像中减去3D重度T2W图像。我们确定了3D重T2W图像的最佳TE值，并评估了HIRE-SHINKEI技术的有用性。材料与方法从6名健康志愿者在3 T时获得冠状腰s神经丛图像。我们优化了HIRE-SHINKEI中3D重T2加权（T2W）图像的TE，并就神经方面将HIRE-SHINKEI图像与常规SHINKEI图像进行了比较。描绘以及静脉，膀胱和脑脊液（CSF）信号抑制（使用5分制）。结果在通过HIRE-SHINKEI技术优化的3D高T2W图像中，在TE = 400 ms时，与神经相对应的信号显着降低（p <0.0005），而在TE = 400 ms和600 ms时，则出现了静脉信号（p <0.05）。在TE = 400、600和800 ms时，膀胱信号的抑制作用显着（p <0.05）；然而，在所有测试的TE中，来自CSF的信号抑制均无差异。根据这些结果，为3D重度T2W图像确定了600 ms的最佳TE。这些图像对应于神经信号的最小损失，同时具有来自T2值不同的膀胱，静脉和CSF的信号同时最大减法。与SHINKEI图像相比，优化的HIRE-SHINKEI图像有选择地更详细地描绘了神经，并显着抑制了膀胱（p <0.0001）和静脉（p <0.05）。结论HIRE-SHINKEI可用于更好地可视化腰s神经丛，并能抑制其他骨盆结构。这种详细的磁共振神经成像和对神经的选择性描绘可用于诊断周围神经疾病。