Clinical feasibility of MR-generated synthetic CT images of the cervical spine: Diagnostic performance for detection of OPLL and comparison of CT number

Abstract

We aimed to determine the incremental value of magnetic resonance generated synthetic computed tomography (MRCT), evaluate cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), and compare the computed tomography (CT) numbers between MRCT and conventional CT.Twenty-two patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with MRCT protocols and CT were enrolled. MRCT images were generated from 3D-T2-weighted imaging, 3D-pointwise-encoding time reduction with radial acquisition, 3D-T1-Dixon, and 3D-time-of-flight sequences. Two radiologists independently evaluated the presence of OPLL at each cervical spine level during sessions 1 (MRI alone) and 2 (MRI + MRCT). CT was the reference standard for the presence of OPLL. One reader measured the mean CT number of the vertebral body and spinous process at each cervical spine level in the MRCT and CT images.Sensitivity for the detection of OPLL was markedly higher in session 2 (MRI + MRCT) than in session 1 (MRI alone), as measured by both readers (47% vs. 90%, reader 1; 63% vs. 93%, reader 2). The mean CT number of MRCT and CT showed a moderate to strong positive correlation (ρ = .42-.72, P < .001).The combined use of MRCT and MRI showed improved sensitivity for the evaluation of cervical OPLL. The mean CT number of MRCT and CT showed a positive correlation.