Assessment of Midbrain Structure Visualization with Modified 3 Tesla MRI Protocols for Enhanced Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

Purpose: To assess the outcomes and implications of modifying SWAN protocol parameters on a 3 Tesla MRI for midbrain structure imaging in patients to detect signs of Parkinson’s disease. Material and methods: The study was conducted on 22 patients of both genders, ranging in age from 30 to 77 years. Protocols for the standard MRI brain examination and its two variations in the SWAN program, which involved reducing the slice thickness, were analyzed. Key parameters for the visualization of midbrain structures were identified, and subsequently evaluated by expert radiologists. Results: Parameters within the SWAN protocol for MRI scanning were identified, the modification of which enhances the clarity of nigrosome-1 visualization. It was established that thin-slice modifications of the brain scanning protocols (slice thicknesses of 1.2 and 2 mm) reveal early, diagnostically significant features of nigrosome-1 for Parkinson’s disease 3.4 to 4.1 times more frequently than the standard survey protocol with a slice thickness of 4 mm. Conclusion: The significance of selecting appropriate MRI protocol parameters for studying midbrain structures to enhance the visualization effectiveness of nigrosome-1 has been confirmed. Employing the SWAN sequence on a 3 Tesla MRI scanner with a slice thickness of 2 mm or less in a neurological department setting during routine Parkinson’s disease examinations achieves superior imaging results compared to conventional survey MRI protocols with a 4 mm slice thickness. This approach demonstrates high inter-rater reliability and aligns with European recommendations for neuroimaging. © 2024, A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center. All rights reserved.