Magnetic Resonance Neurography Analysis of Healthy Human Thoracic Dorsal Root Ganglion

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Dorsal Root Ganglion
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: healthy volunteer

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 90

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Hubei
    • Wuhan, Hubei, China
      • Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• 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.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age between 40 and 75 years;
2. height between 145cm to 180cm;
3. BMI between 18.5 to 30.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. scoliosis;
2. history of thoracic surgery and pain;
3. history of spinal trauma and surgery;
4. failure or inability to complete magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) scans.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
the average DRG volume of healthy volunteers	the average DRG volume in each thoracic segment of healthy volunteers	202301-202312

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
width/length ratio of DRGs	width/length ratio of DRGs in the slice of largest volume	202301-202312

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Xianwei Zhang, Doctor, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Attal N, Bouhassira D. Advances in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Curr Opin Neurol. 2021;34(5):631-637.
• Berger AA, Liu Y, Possoit H, et al. Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) and Chronic Pain. Anesth Pain Med. 2021;11(2):e113020.
• Malik KM, Imani F, Beckerly R, et al. Risk of Opioid Use Disorder from Exposure to Opioids in the Perioperative Period: A Systematic Review. Anesth Pain Med. 2020;10(1):e101339.
• Attal N, Bouhassira D, Baron R. Diagnosis and assessment of neuropathic pain through questionnaires. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(5):456-466.
• Liem L, van Dongen E, Huygen FJ, et al. The Dorsal Root Ganglion as a Therapeutic Target for Chronic Pain. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2016;41(4):511-519.
• Bannister K, Sachau J, Baron R, et al. Neuropathic Pain: Mechanism-Based Therapeutics. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2020;60:257-274.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 31, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 10, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 11, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 11, 2023
• First Posted (Estimated): December 20, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 20, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 11, 2023
• Last Verified: December 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: neuropathic pain; volume; dorsal root ganglion,; Magnetic resonance neurography
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms; Cysts; Connective Tissue Diseases; Mucinoses; Ganglion Cysts; Synovial Cyst
• Other Study ID Numbers: dorsal root ganglion

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No