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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Evaluation of the pathologic characteristics of excitotoxic spinal cord injury with MR imaging
Sara A Berens1, Daniel C Colvin, Chen-Guang Yu
1Comprehensive Center for Pain Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Background And Purpose:
Although high-resolution MR imaging is a valuable diagnostic tool, in vivo MR imaging has not yet been compared with in vitro MR imaging and histologic techniques following experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). The goal of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using in vivo MR imaging, in vitro MR imaging, and histologic techniques to study pathologic changes associated with excitotoxic SCI at a single time point. These results are important for future research using in vivo MR imaging to study the temporal profile of pathologic changes following SCI.
Methods:
Rats received intraspinal injections of quisqualic acid at the T12-L2 spinal level. In vivo T1- and T2-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images were collected 17-24 days postinjury. Once completed, spinal cords were removed and in vitro MR microscopy and histologic assessment were performed. MR images were collected using 4.7-T (in vivo) and 14.1-T magnets (in vitro).
Results:
Pathologic changes--including hemorrhage, neuronal loss, cavities, and central canal expansion--were visible in T2-weighted in vivo MR images. Evaluation of the blood-spinal cord barrier after injury with contrast agent enhancement showed no disruption at the time points evaluated. In vitro MR images and histologic evaluation confirmed pathologic details observed in vivo.
Conclusion:
Results show that high-resolution in vivo MR imaging has the potential to be used in studying the progression of pathologic changes at multiple time points following SCI. This strategy may provide a way of studying structure-function relationships between therapeutic interventions and different pathologic characteristics of the injured spinal cord.
Insights
High-resolution in vivo MR imaging effectively visualizes spinal cord injury pathology, comparable to in vitro methods. This technique shows promise for tracking injury progression and evaluating therapeutic interventions in future studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Pathology
Background:
- High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is crucial for diagnosing spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Comparative studies of in vivo MR imaging, in vitro MR imaging, and histology post-experimental SCI are lacking.
- Understanding pathologic changes in SCI is vital for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using in vivo MR imaging, in vitro MR imaging, and histology to study SCI pathology.
- To compare the efficacy of these techniques in detecting excitotoxic SCI-induced changes at a single time point.
- To establish a foundation for future research utilizing in vivo MR imaging to track SCI progression.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent intraspinal quisqualic acid injections at the T12-L2 spinal level.
- In vivo MR imaging (T1- and T2-weighted, dynamic contrast-enhanced) was performed 17-24 days postinjury using a 4.7-T magnet.
- Post-imaging, spinal cords were extracted for in vitro MR microscopy (14.1-T) and histologic assessment.
Main Results:
- T2-weighted in vivo MR images revealed key pathologic changes: hemorrhage, neuronal loss, cavities, and central canal expansion.
- Contrast-enhanced MR imaging indicated no blood-spinal cord barrier disruption at the evaluated time points.
- In vitro MR images and histology corroborated the in vivo findings, confirming detailed pathologic visualization.
Conclusions:
- High-resolution in vivo MR imaging demonstrates significant potential for monitoring SCI progression over time.
- This imaging strategy can facilitate the study of structure-function relationships between treatments and SCI characteristics.
- In vivo MR imaging offers a viable method for comprehensive SCI pathology assessment.
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