Three-dimensional cerebral tractography. An application of magnetization transfer ratio

A use of the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in the delineation of neural of the human brain was evaluated. Thirty-eight MR examinations were carried out with a 1.5 T clinical scanner. Three-dimensional spoiled gradient echo sequences with and without magnetization transfer (MT) saturation pulse were performed. MTRs were calculated and reconstructed into three-dimensional images after maximum-intensity-projection (MIP) processing (MIP-MTR). Three-dimensional MIP-MTR technique provided unique images. Those images were considered to be a map of myelin distribution, and thus, a tractography. MTR may create a novel form of image contrast; isolation of myelin distribution, and is considered to be a promising adjunct in the evaluation of normal and abnormal brain neural tracts. (author)