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Probabilistic MRI tractography of the optic radiation using constrained spherical deconvolution: a feasibility study
Jeremy C Lim1, Pramit M Phal1, Patricia M Desmond1
1Department of Radiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3050, Australia; Department of Radiology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
Plos One
|March 6, 2015
Summary
Constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) tractography accurately images the optic radiation using diffusion MRI. This method is faster and more precise than traditional ball-and-stick models for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Optic radiation (OR) imaging is crucial for visual pathway disease study.
- Accurate OR visualization aids pre-surgical planning for temporal lobe resections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical feasibility of using constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) for optic radiation imaging.
- To compare CSD-based tractography with the ball-and-stick model for OR tracking.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion MRI with 30 directions was performed on 20 healthy patients.
- Probabilistic tractography utilized fiber orientation distribution models.
- Performance evaluated via computational time, ROC analysis, and anatomical landmark correlation.
Main Results:
- CSD enabled feasible individual optic radiation reconstruction from clinically practical diffusion MRI data.
- CSD-based tractography demonstrated significantly shorter computation times and improved ROC results.
- CSD showed closer agreement with dissection studies regarding Meyer's loop to temporal pole distances.
Conclusions:
- Diffusion MRI within a clinically practical timeframe allows accurate optic radiation tractography.
- CSD-based tractography offers superior speed, accuracy, and anatomical correlation compared to ball-and-stick methods.
