Spinal cord function imaging method suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation disease

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of medical imaging, and particularly discloses a spinal cord function imaging method suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation diseases, which comprises the following steps: acquiring MR 3D CUBE imaging data, MRI imaging data and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of normal physical examination crowds, spinal cord non-SCVM other diseases and SCVM patients, and respectively taking the data as a baseline group, a control group and an experimental group; according to the method, the imaging data of the neck segment, the chest segment and the waist segment of the SCVM patient are calibrated according to the imaging data of the neck segment, the chest segment and the waist segment of the baseline group, meanwhile, the imaging data of the neck segment, the chest segment and the waist segment of the control group are used for adjusting the imaging data of the neck segment, the chest segment and the waist segment of the SCVM patient, the diagnosis rate of the SCVM is increased, and the diagnosis efficiency of the SCVM patient is improved. The SCVM spinal cord injury degree can be accurately evaluated in time; and an objective basis for intervention treatment is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of medical imaging technology, and in particular to a spinal cord functional imaging method suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation diseases. Background Art

[0002] Spinal cord vascular malformation (SCVM) is a congenital central nervous system disease. Although it does not affect life, its high disability rate is as high as 72.1%, causing patients to lose their ability to work and live, and also bringing a heavy burden to their families and society. It is known that SCVM is a non-self-limiting disease with progressive development, so the treatment principle should be "early detection, early treatment".

[0003] For "early detection", the diagnosis mainly relies on imaging. However, it has a high rate of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis (51.5% to 85.3%). The main reason is: insufficient understanding of its imaging manifestations, such as structural imaging: X-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), etc., and no specific symptoms and signs, so it is often misdiagnosed or even mistreated, further aggravating the spinal cord nerve function damage. Therefore, even if the lesion is cured after surgery, its nerve function is still difficult to recover.

[0004] Due to the anatomical characteristics of the spinal cord, its tiny size (only 1 / 200 of the brain) and its extremely thin blood vessels, any single structural image (CT, MRI, DSA, etc.) cannot fully reflect the nature and structure of SCVM (especially its vascular structure), and there is insufficient understanding of the imaging manifestations of SCVM, resulting in a high rate of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of SCVM.

[0005] Even the above-mentioned spinal cord structural images (CT, MRI, DSA, etc.) can only reflect the location, structure, vascular architecture, hemodynamics and relationship with surrounding tissues of the lesions, but cannot reflect the microstructure of the spinal cord nerves and spinal cord functional damage.

[0006] Spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) can reflect the integrity and continuity of nerve fiber bundles, compression, displacement, and rupture during injury, as well as demyelination changes after injury and the axonal remyelination process during the repair period. This is of great significance in assessing the degree of spinal cord injury and prognosis.

[0007] Due to the influence of the spinal cord anatomical structure, such as the small cross-sectional area of ​​the spinal cord (the average diameter of the adult spinal cord is only 1.4 cm), the thin nerve fiber bundles, and pathological factors (pathological curvature, stiffness), the clinical development and application of spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) are greatly limited.

[0008] Currently there is no functional imaging suitable for SCVM disease. Summary of the invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the technical problems existing in the background technology. To this end, a spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) method suitable for spinal vascular malformation diseases is provided.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0011] A spinal cord functional imaging method suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation diseases comprises the following steps:

[0012] Step S1: Use a high-field MRI of 3.0T or above, equipped with an eight-channel phased array NV coil, to collect spinal cord functional imaging data;

[0013] Step S2: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of normal physical examination population, including different imaging data of cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord;

[0014] Step S3: Acquiring MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of spinal cord diseases other than SCVM, including different imaging data of cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord, and lumbar spinal cord;

[0015] Step S4: acquiring MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of SCVM patients, and distinguishing SCVM patients in different parts of the cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord, and lumbar spinal cord;

[0016] Step S5: Using the imaging data collected in step S2 as a baseline, the imaging data collected in step S3 is used to calibrate the imaging data collected in step S4, thereby adjusting the imaging data at different lesion sites.

[0017] The following is a technical solution further defined in the present invention: Step S2 collects MR 3DCUBE imaging, MRI imaging and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of a normal physical examination population as a baseline group;

[0018] Step S3: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of spinal cord diseases other than SCVM as a control group;

[0019] Step S4: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of SCVM patients as the experimental group;

[0020] The imaging data of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of the baseline group were used to calibrate the functional imaging data of the spinal cord with cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions in the SCVM patients, that is, the spinal cord image parameters of the sagittal high-definition 3D FSE were used for calibration; at the same time, the imaging data of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of the control group were used to adjust the functional imaging data of the spinal cord with cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions in the SCVM patients, that is, the spinal cord DTI image parameters were used for adjustment.

[0021] The following is a technical solution further defined in the present invention, which includes in steps S2, S3 and S4:

[0022] First, high-definition 3D FSE spinal cord images were acquired in the sagittal plane with the following parameters: sagittal 3D CUBE sequence, 2 mm slice thickness plus 1 mm overlap to reconstruct the image, 44 slices, FOV: 25.6 cm, Matrix 256×256, TR / TE: 2500 / 100 ms; echotrain length (ETL), 80; flip angle (FA), 90°; number of excitations (NEX);

[0023] Afterwards, the second sequence of images was a functional image, and the spinal cord DTI and DTI image parameters were as follows: FOV, 18×12.6cm; TR / TE, 6828 / 86ms; Matrix, 128×128; b-value, 600mm2·s; NEX, 8; diffusion directions, 25; slice thickness, 4mm, number of slices, 30;

[0024] Images were collected for 15 minutes.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0026] The present invention uses the imaging data of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of the baseline group to calibrate the functional imaging data of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions of the spinal cord of SCVM patients. At the same time, the imaging data of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of the control group are used to adjust the functional imaging data of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions of the spinal cord of SCVM patients, thereby improving the diagnosis rate of SCVM, timely and accurately evaluating the degree of SCVM spinal cord injury, and providing an objective basis for intervention treatment.

[0027] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a comparison of MRI images and DTI images before and after surgery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present invention, so the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, a spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) method suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation diseases is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0033] Step S1: Use a high-field MRI of 3.0T or above, equipped with an eight-channel phased array NV (neurovascular) coil, to collect spinal cord functional imaging data. Spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) data collection includes MR 3DCUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data.

[0034] Step S2: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of normal physical examination population, including different imaging data of cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord;

[0035] Step S3: Acquire MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of spinal cord diseases other than SCVM (such as tumors), including different imaging data of cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord, and lumbar spinal cord;

[0036] Step S4: acquiring MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of SCVM patients, and distinguishing SCVM patients in different parts of the cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord, and lumbar spinal cord;

[0037] Step S5: Using the imaging data collected in step S2 as a baseline, the imaging data collected in step S3 is used to calibrate the imaging data collected in step S4, thereby adjusting the imaging data at different lesion sites (cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord) to make it suitable for spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) of spinal vascular malformation (SCVM).

[0038] Equipment: High-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 3.0T and above must be equipped with an eight-channel phased array NV (neurovascular) coil.

[0039] Functional spinal cord imaging (DTI) technology: First, high-definition 3D FSE spinal cord images were acquired in the sagittal plane, with the following parameters: sagittal 3D CUBE sequence, 2 mm slice thickness plus 1 mm overlap to reconstruct the image, 44 slices, FOV: 25.6 cm, Matrix 256×256, TR / TE: 2500 / 100 ms; echo train length (ETL), 80; flip angle (FA), 90°; number of excitations (NEX). Afterwards, the second sequence of images was a functional image, with spinal cord DTI and DTI image parameters as follows: FOV, 18×12.6 cm; TR / TE, 6828 / 86 ms; Matrix, 128×128; b-value, 600 mm2·s; NEX, 8; diffusion directions, 25; slice thickness 4 mm, 30 slices. The image acquisition took about 15 minutes.

[0040] Baseline group: 60 adults with normal physical examination (age 20-70 years old, height 160-180cm, weight 50-90kg; no related diseases), using spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) technology, in different segments of the spinal cord (cervical, thoracic and lumbar), complete the setting of spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) related technical parameters. This is used as a base to adjust the imaging (DTI) related technical parameters of SCVM patients.

[0041] Control group: 30 patients with other spinal cord diseases (tumors, degenerative diseases) were selected as the control group, with no SCVM disease, including 10 patients with cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions, and the relevant technical parameters of spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) were set. This is to adjust the imaging (DTI) related technical parameters of SCVM patients.

[0042] Experimental group: 60 patients with SCVM disease, including 20 cases of cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions respectively. The relevant technical parameters of the baseline group's cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments were used to calibrate the technical parameters of spinal cord functional imaging of SCVM patients' cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions. At the same time, the relevant technical parameters of the control group were used to adjust the relevant parameters of SCVM, and the relevant imaging technology of spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) suitable for spinal vascular malformation disease (SCVM) was developed.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, A and B are preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of thoracic cord malformation (SCVM): female, 44 years old; thoracic cord SCVM (arrow). Symptoms: back pain, motor and sensory impairment below T5 (moderate); right lower limb muscle strength 3; pathological signs (++).

[0044] C and D are the spinal cord functional imaging (DTI) technology and MRI images of SCVM before surgery using the method of the present invention: the local nerve fiber bundles are compressed and flattened and angular (arrows), which can explain the patient's preoperative spinal cord nerve function status.

[0045] E is the MRI image of the thoracic spinal cord 10 days after surgery: the lesion was completely removed, symptoms: back pain disappeared, motor and sensory dysfunction improved.

[0046] F and G are functional spinal cord imaging (DTI) and MRI images of the thoracic cord 10 days after surgery using the method of the present invention: after complete resection of the lesion, the locally compressed fiber bundles dilate in a cylindrical manner, and the red nerve bundles recover (arrows), representing the recovery and enhancement of nerve function, which can explain the improvement in the patient's postoperative function.

[0047] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention in any form. Any technician familiar with the art can make many possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention by using the above disclosed methods and technical contents without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into an equivalent embodiment of equivalent changes. Therefore, all equivalent changes made according to the shape, structure and principle of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for spinal cord functional imaging suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation diseases, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step S1: Use a high-field MRI of 3.0T or above, equipped with an eight-channel phased array NV coil, to collect spinal cord functional imaging data; Step S2: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of normal physical examination population, including different imaging data of cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord; Step S3: Acquiring MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of spinal cord diseases other than SCVM, including different imaging data of cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord, and lumbar spinal cord; Step S4: acquiring MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of SCVM patients, and distinguishing SCVM patients in different parts of the cervical spinal cord, thoracic spinal cord, and lumbar spinal cord; Step S5: Using the imaging data collected in step S2 as a baseline, the imaging data collected in step S3 is used to calibrate the imaging data collected in step S4, thereby adjusting the imaging data at different lesion sites.

2. A spinal cord functional imaging method suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation diseases as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Step S2: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of normal physical examination population as a baseline group; Step S3: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of spinal cord diseases other than SCVM as a control group; Step S4: collecting MR 3D CUBE imaging, MRI imaging, and 3D-DSAMASK imaging data of SCVM patients as the experimental group; The cervical, thoracic and lumbar imaging data of the baseline group were used to calibrate the functional imaging data of the spinal cord with cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions in SCVM patients. Meanwhile, the cervical, thoracic and lumbar imaging data of the control group were used to adjust the functional imaging data of the spinal cord with cervical, thoracic and lumbar lesions in SCVM patients.

3. A spinal cord functional imaging method suitable for spinal cord vascular malformation diseases as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: In steps S2, S3 and S4, the following steps are included: First, high-definition 3D FSE spinal cord images were acquired in the sagittal plane with the following parameters: sagittal 3D CUBE sequence, 2 mm slice thickness plus 1 mm overlap to reconstruct the image, 44 slices, FOV: 25.6 cm, Matrix 256×256, TR / TE: 2500 / 100 ms; echo trainlength (ETL), 80; flip angle (FA), 90°; number of excitations (NEX); Afterwards, the second sequence of images was a functional image, and the parameters of the spinal cord DTI images were as follows: FOV, 18×12.6cm; TR / TE, 6828 / 86ms; Matrix, 128×128; b-value, 600mm2·s; NEX, 8; diffusion directions, 25; slice thickness 4mm, number of slices 30; Images were collected for 15 minutes.

Images