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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
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Diffusion tensor imaging with quantitative evaluation and fiber tractography of lumbar nerve roots in sciatica
Yin Shi1, Min Zong1, Xiaoquan Xu1
1Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
European Journal of Radiology
|January 30, 2015
Summary
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) quantitatively evaluates lumbar nerve roots in sciatica patients. DTI
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Sciatica often results from lumbar nerve root compression.
- Conventional MRI has limitations in quantitatively assessing nerve root integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate nerve roots using fractional anisotropy (FA) in sciatica patients.
- To visualize nerve roots via tractography.
- To compare diagnostic efficacy of DTI versus conventional MRI.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) was performed on 75 sciatica patients and 36 healthy volunteers.
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) values of L5-S1 nerve roots were calculated.
- Tractography was used for L3-S1 nerve root visualization.
Main Results:
- Nerve roots were visualized and FA values calculated in all subjects.
- FA values decreased in compressed nerve roots, particularly distally.
- Mean FA values showed higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional MRI for detecting nerve compression.
Conclusions:
- DTI enables quantitative evaluation and visualization of compressed nerve roots in sciatica.
- DTI provides detailed anatomical information for localizing nerve compression.
- DTI shows significant potential for assessing lumbar nerve compression.
