In Vivo Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging for Direct Infusion Into Rat Peripheral Nerve

Direct infusion of therapeutic agents into the spinal cord provides a promising way to treat traumatic injury and intrinsic diseases of the spinal cord, which may cause paralysis and other neurological deficits. Direct infusion into the spinal cord involves complex invasive surgery since the spinal cord is well protected by the vertebral bone. Instead, infusion directly into peripheral nerves is of interest since it provides a remote delivery site to the spinal cord, requiring less invasive surgery and reducing the risk of spinal cord injury during surgery. It may also allow targeting of specific neurons at nerve root entry. Previous studies have shown [1, 2] that transport in peripheral nerves is anisotropic with a preferred direction parallel to the fiber tracts. A large-scale longitudinal spread of molecular agents may be obtained and spread of molecular agents into the spinal cord may be possible.