The characteristic of the normal human lower lumbar nerve root under MR principle of selective excitation technique

English Keywords:Lumbar nerve roots  MR principle of selective excitation technique  Image measurement

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objective：To investigate the characteristic of the normal lower lumbar nerve root and its relationship with surrounding structures under MR principle of selective excitation technique（PROSET）.Method：From December 2010 to March 2011，MR PROSET sequence coronal images were performed in lumbar nerve roots of 50 healthy volunteers（24 males and 26 females） with age ranging from 30 to 75 years old.The diameter of nerve root（RD），the angle between nerve root and dura mater（RA），the distance from nerve root to the superior edge of pedicle（PSRD） and the inferior edge of pedicle（PIRD），the distance between the outlet of nerve root from dura mater and the inferior edge of the pedicles（PD） were measured in Mimics 14.0 system.Each parameter was calculated using SPSS 17.0.Result：No side-related significant difference was noted at any segment with respect to RD，RA，PSRD，PIRD and PD（P>0.05）.The mean value of RD from L3 to L5 was 3.90±0.46mm（1.7-6.4mm）-5.70±0.61mm（3.2-9.0mm）；the mean RA from L3 to L5 was 26.70°±3.78°（19.7°-35.1°）-28.50°±3.54°（23.0°-38.5°）；the mean PSRD from L3 to L5 was 6.50±3.35mm（2.0-10.0mm）-4.60±2.31mm（1.2-9.7mm）；the mean PIRD from L3 to L5 was 12.60±3.34mm（8.2-22.4mm）-12.90±3.87mm（5.8-26.1mm）；the mean PD from L3 to L5 was 8.40±2.34mm（8.2-27.6mm）-25.90±4.78mm（12.1-54.5mm）.The values of RD，RA，PIRD and PD increased gradually from L3 to L5；on the contrary，the PSRD decreased gradually from L3 to L5.Conclusion：The morphology of the lower lumbar nerve root and its surrounding structures can be non-invasively and accurately detected by PROSET images，which can be used for determination of lumbar disease.