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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Evaluating radiation-induced white matter changes in patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery using diffusion
Zheng Chang1, John P Kirkpatrick, Zhiheng Wang
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States. zheng.chang@duke.edu.
Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
|July 19, 2013
Summary
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can cause white matter damage. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed decreased fractional anisotropy and fiber number in irradiated brain regions after SRS, suggesting DTI
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiation Oncology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a key treatment for brain tumors.
- Data on radiation-induced white matter (WM) damage from SRS is limited.
- Understanding WM changes post-SRS is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter (WM) changes following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
- To assess the sensitivity of DTI metrics in detecting radiation-induced WM alterations.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen glioma patients underwent MRI with DTI before and after SRS (18-25 Gy).
- Diffusion tensors were calculated, and fiber tracking was performed.
- Volumes of interest (VOIs) included non-irradiated WM and irradiated WM (≥12 Gy).
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), and number of fibers (NF) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- FA and NF significantly decreased in irradiated WM VOIs two months post-SRS compared to baseline and non-irradiated VOIs.
- ADC showed minimal, non-significant changes.
- FA and NF demonstrated greater sensitivity to radiation-induced WM changes than ADC.
Conclusions:
- DTI is a valuable tool for assessing radiation-induced WM changes after SRS.
- FA and NF are more sensitive indicators of WM damage than ADC following SRS.
- This pilot study provides preliminary insights into WM alterations after SRS, guiding future research.
