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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Diffusion tensor imaging of the auditory pathway in sensorineural hearing loss: changes in radial diffusivity and
YuChun Lin1, JiunJie Wang, CheMing Wu
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|September 9, 2008
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals increased radial diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy in the auditory pathway of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) patients. These changes were observed in the lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects auditory pathway integrity.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a neuroimaging technique that measures water diffusion in tissues.
- DTI parameters like fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (lambda perpendicular) can reflect white matter microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare DTI measures (axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, mean diffusivity, FA) in the auditory pathway of SNHL patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate DTI changes in the lateral lemniscus (LL) and inferior colliculus (IC) in SNHL.
- To correlate DTI findings with different types of SNHL.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 37 SNHL patients and 10 healthy controls.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) acquired at 3 Tesla.
- Regions of interest (ROIs) defined in the lateral lemniscus (LL) and inferior colliculus (IC) bilaterally.
- SNHL patients categorized into bilateral, unilateral, and partial hearing loss groups.
Main Results:
- Reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in the LL and IC of SNHL patients compared to controls.
- Increased radial diffusivity (lambda perpendicular) in the LL and IC of SNHL patients.
- Similar FA and radial diffusivity changes observed in ipsilateral and contralateral LL and IC in unilateral profound hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- DTI reveals microstructural alterations in the auditory pathway of SNHL patients.
- Increased radial diffusivity in the LL and IC is associated with SNHL.
- Decreased fractional anisotropy in the LL and IC reflects white matter changes in SNHL.
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