Details of study

Part	No. of Subjects, Sex, Age (y)	Nerve (s) Studied	Orientation to B₀	Field Strength	Coil	STIR Sequence Parameters	Result Summary
Healthy volunteers
1	n = 2 F 33, M 58	Median	0° and 55°	1.5 T	Planar 6 × 8 cm	3000/30/160, 4-mm section, 12-cm FOV, 256 × 512 matrix	Increase in signal intensity in nerve from 0° to 55°.
2	n = 3 F 42, M 28, M 58	Median	0° and 55°	0.5 T	Planar 6 × 8 cm	1500/22, 33, 44, 55, 66/107, 4-mm section, 192 × 256 matrix	Increase in signal intensity and T2 in nerve from 0° to 55°.
3	n = 2 M 33, M 58	Median	0° and 90° in 5° or 10° increments	1.5 T	Planar 6 × 8 cm	3000/30/160, 4-mm section, 12-cm FOV, 256 × 256 matrix	Progressive increase in nerve signal intensity to 60° then decrease from 60° to 90°. Tendon similar. Muscle no change.
4	n = 2, F 30, M 58	Brachial plexus and nerves in upper arm	Brachial plexus 55° (approx), nerves in upper arm 0°, (approx)	1.5 T	Brachial plexus array	2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 35-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix	Brachial plexus higher signal intensity than that of muscle. Exiting nerves isointense with muscle.
5	n = 2 F 30, M 58	Ulnar nerve at elbow	0° through 125°	1.5 T	Pair of 10-cm circular planar coils	2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 14-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix	Ulnar nerve isointense to muscle at 0° with increased signal intensity as it passes around condyle, isointense to muscle when at 90° to B₀, then increased signal intensity in forearm at 125° to B₀.
6	n = 2 F 40, M 58	Median nerve parallel to B₀ in upper arm and about 55° where wrist flexed	0° parallel and about 55° (where flexed)	1.5 T	Two 10-cm planar circular coils	2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 12-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix	Nerve isointense with muscle in forearm. Increased signal intensity in nerve where flexed.
7	n = 2 M 32, M 58	Sciatic	0° and 55°	1.5 T	Two 15-cm planar circular coils	2500/28/150, 5-mm section, 20-cm FOV, 128 × 256 matrix	Increased signal intensity at 55° compared with 0°.
Patients with RA
8	n = 2 F 43, F 48	Median	0° and 55°	0.5 T	Planar 6 × 8 cm	1500/22/105, 5-mm section, 15-cm FOV	Signal intensity increase from 0° to 55° less than that for volunteers in part 2.

Note.—RA indicates rheumatoid arthritis.