Added value of T2 SPACE STIR in magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of post-traumatic brachial plexus injury

Nehal Tharwat, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Faculty of medicine, Mansoura University, Elgomhoria St. 35516, Mansoura, Egypt.Follow
Ahmed Mohamed AbdElkhalek, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Faculty of medicine, Mansoura University, Elgomhoria St. 35516, Mansoura, Egypt.
Mohamed Ashraf Abd El-Moniem, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta Branch, 34517, The second District, New Damietta, Egypt
Hesham Abdel Fattah Elsobky, Neurosurgery Department, Faculty of medicine, Mansoura University, Elgomhoria St. 35516, Mansoura, Egypt
Ahmed Alaa El-Din Elagamy, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Faculty of medicine, Mansoura University, Elgomhoria St. 35516, Mansoura, Egypt

Subject Area

Radiodiagnosis

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPIs) cause severe upper limb disability. Owing to the complex anatomic architecture of the brachial plexus (BP), TBPIs are difficult to diagnose. Magnetic resonance neurography of the BP using three-dimensional isotropic imaging provides excellent background fat suppression and adequate soft-tissue contrast, thereby allowing better delineation of the BP along its pathway. This study aimed to compare image quality between T2-Short tau inversion recovery (T2-STIR) and 3D-transverse relaxation time-sampling perfection with application of optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolution short tau inversion recovery (3D-T2 SPACE STIR) sequences in cases of TBPIs.

Methods: This study included 44 patients with TBPIs. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the BP, including T2-STIR and 3D-T2 SPACE STIR. The image quality of both sequences was compared using subjective visibility scores for different segments of the BP, as well as the objective CR between the BP and the surrounding tissues.

Results: The visibility scores of trunks, divisions, cords, as well as terminal branches were significantly higher (P < 0.001) on 3D-T2 SPACE STIR compared to T2-STIR. Also, the median CR was significantly higher in 3D-T2 SPACE STIR (0.495) compared to T2-STIR (0.345) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: For evaluation of TBPIs, 3D-T2 SPACE STIR improves visualization and image contrast of the BP along its pathway compared with conventional T2-STIR without the need for contrast agents. This provided useful information for early management and neurosurgical planning for those patients.

Recommended Citation

Tharwat, Nehal; AbdElkhalek, Ahmed Mohamed; Abd El-Moniem, Mohamed Ashraf; Elsobky, Hesham Abdel Fattah; and Elagamy, Ahmed Alaa El-Din (2026) "Added value of T2 SPACE STIR in magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of post-traumatic brachial plexus injury," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 56 : Iss. 1 , Article 5.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58775/2735-3990.1584