Reference 3 T MRI parameters of the normal human eye

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to establish magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) standard normative reference quantitative markers for future possible diagnosis in Ophthalmology based on relaxation times (T1 and T2) and retina/choroid complex (RCC) layer thickness values measured in vivo in normal human eyes.This research followed the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local Ethical Committee. 15 healthy subjects volunteered to undergo MRI of both eyes. 3 T MRI was performed using a circular surface detector coil with a 15 min acquisition protocol for each eye. The most important normal human eye structures were visualized and characterized geometrico-physicochemically by the 35 MRI standard normative reference markers (20 RCC thicknesses, 8 T1 and 7 T2) calculated. Future possible pathology management could be based on the relative-to-normal differences between the standard normative reference MRI markers calculated in this study and the corresponding MRI markers calculated in the future in disease-suspected eyes.In conclusion, this research demonstrates that ocular MRI at 3 T, performed without contrast agents, brings useful additional multiparametric quantitative information for future possible automated medical diagnosis, staging and evaluation of ocular disease mechanisms.