Magnetic Resonance Neurography Analysis of Healthy Human Thoracic Dorsal Root Ganglion
Condition: Dorsal Root Ganglion
MeSH terms: Ganglion Cysts; Synovial Cyst
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Here, this study aimed to conduct magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) of the thoracic DRGs
      in a cohort of healthy individuals. The acquired images will be thoroughly analyzed utilizing
      3D-slicer software. We expect to furnish crucial baseline anatomical data of thoracic DRGs in
      healthy subjects, provide an anatomical basis for clinical investigation and therapeutic
      interventions.
    

Detailed description: 
      Chronic neuropathic pain remains a world's public health challenges, affecting hundreds of
      millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that 11.2% of general-practice patients suffer
      from neuropathic pain, and many continue to suffer from intractable pain and/or undesirable
      side effects. Neuropathic pain refers to the entire somatosensory system, encompassing both
      central and peripheral neuropathic pain. In recent years, although significant advancements
      have been achieved in the mechanism and management of neuropathic pain, and numerous
      pharmaceutical agents and therapeutic approaches have been utilized for its treatment, the
      outcomes still to be less than optimal. Moreover, the adverse side effects associated with
      certain first- and second-line medications, such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants, as
      well as the potential for opioid addiction, significantly impact patients' adherence to
      treatment. Hence, there remains a need for continued investigation into effective strategies
      for the management of neuropathic pain.

      Therapies focused on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) have emerged as a significant
      intervention in the clinical practice of pain physicians for the management of chronic pain,
      given its integral and important role in the signals transmission from the peripheral nervous
      system to the central nervous system. Accurate positioning holds paramount importance during
      the treatment process, necessitating clinicians to possess a comprehensive understanding of
      the morphology, distribution, and interconnections of the dorsal root ganglia across various
      segments. Currently, there exists a limited number of in vivo investigations concerning the
      dorsal root ganglion (DRG), with a predominant emphasis on the lumbar segment, which have
      mostly used invasive neuroradiography. The investigation on thoracic DRG remains largely
      unexplored. However, herpes zoster, the most prevalent form of neuropathic pain, manifests
      most frequently in the thoracic segment. Furthermore, the studies of herpes zoster reveal
      that DRG plays a significant role in the progression of the disease and the transmission of
      pain signals. Hence, a comprehensive comprehension of the anatomy and variability of thoracic
      DRGs assumes significance not only in accurately comprehending the pathological anatomy of
      neuropathic pain in the thoracic region, but also in providing guidance for interventional
      and individualized treatment targeting the DRGs.
    

Intervention name(s): healthy volunteer
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Volunteers age between 50 and 75 years
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        healthy volunteers aged between 50 and 75 years, height between 145cm to 180cm, and BMI
        between 18.5 to 30.
      
Keywords: dorsal root ganglion,; Magnetic resonance neurography; volume; neuropathic pain