The Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC) of the Arizona Department of Health Services has awarded a three-year, $746,720 grant to a team at Barrow Neurological Institute to develop a novel imaging technique to better evaluate surgical outcomes in people with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). With current MRI methods unable to provide high-quality measures near metals implanted in the spine, neurosurgeons currently rely on a “wait-and-see” approach when guiding care and rehabilitation for patients who have undergone CSM surgeries. Led by Zhiqiang Li, PhD, and Richard Dortch, PhD, in the Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, this project aims to develop an MRI technique that allows for fast, high-quality diffusion MRI of the spinal cord near metals and generates measurements that relate to underlying spinal cord health and predict long-term recovery. If successful, this project will give neurosurgeons an objective tool to base clinical decisions and improve care and outcomes. Barrow neurosurgeon Rory Murphy, MD, and neuroradiologist John Karis, MD, are co-investigators on the project.
