Usefulness of multiecho fast field echo MRI in the evaluation of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and dural ossification of the cervical spine

OBJECTIVES The diagnosis of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is challenging. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the multiecho fast field echo (mFFE) MRI in the detection of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and dural ossification (DO) of the cervical spine. METHODS Sixty-three patients who underwent MRI with mFFE and CT for cervical spine were retrospectively evaluated. The presence of OPLL and DO on MR images was assessed by two independent readers. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI for detecting OPLL and DO were determined using CT as a reference standard. Image contrast ratios were obtained between the OPLL and perilesional structures on each sequence. RESULTS There were 31 patients with OPLL and 13 DO lesions. The mean sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both readers were 94%, 81%, 88% for OPLL and 92%, 81%, 86% for DO, respectively. The contrast ratios for OPLL and intervertebral disc, spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid were significantly superior on mFFE images, whereas those for OPLL and bone marrow were significantly inferior on mFFE images than those of T1-and T2-weighted images (p ≤ 0.016). CONCLUSIONS MRI with mFFE may be sufficient for the assessment of OPLL and DO, with good contrasts between OPLL and intervertebral disc, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid.