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Diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging of the normal human cervical spinal cord
K Nagayoshi1, S Kimura, M Ochi
1Department of Radiology, Hiroshima Prefectural Hiroshima Hospital, Japan.
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
|June 23, 2000
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging reveals white matter in the human cervical cord is hyperintense due to anisotropic diffusion. The gracile fasciculus appears hypointense, likely from small neural fibers and large extracellular space.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Histopathology
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Background:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is crucial for visualizing neural tissue microstructure.
- Understanding cervical cord white matter properties is vital for neurological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate in vivo diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging (DWI) findings of the human cervical cord with histopathologic data.
- To investigate the diffusion characteristics of cervical cord white matter.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of diffusion-weighted echo planar images in 17 healthy volunteers.
- Utilized a 1.5 T clinical Magnetic Resonance (MR) unit.
- Applied motion-probing gradients perpendicular to the cord axis.
Main Results:
- Cervical cord white matter demonstrated hyperintensity on DWI due to anisotropic diffusion.
- The gracile fasciculus exhibited hypointensity, suggesting restricted diffusion.
- Hypointensity in the gracile fasciculus is potentially linked to small neural fiber diameter and extensive extracellular space.
Conclusions:
- In vivo DWI can differentiate white matter tracts in the human cervical cord.
- Anisotropic diffusion contributes to the observed hyperintensity in white matter.
- The unique microstructural properties of the gracile fasciculus lead to its distinct hypointense signal on DWI.