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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Data quality in diffusion tensor imaging studies of the preterm brain: a systematic review
Kay Pieterman1, Annemarie Plaisier, Paul Govaert
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center - Sophia, dr. Molewaterplein 60, 3015, GJ, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, kaypieterman@gmail.com.
Insights
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in preterm infants shows variable and poorly reported methods. Improving DTI acquisition and processing is crucial for reliable neurodevelopmental assessments.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neuroimaging
- Developmental neuroscience
- Medical physics
Background:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is vital for assessing preterm infant brain development and injury.
- Reliable DTI data is essential for accurate evaluation of neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Standardized methodologies are needed to ensure data integrity in DTI studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on DTI acquisition and processing methods in preterm infants.
- To identify variations and inconsistencies in DTI methodology within published studies.
- To assess the quality and completeness of reporting for DTI parameters.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases.
- Studies published between 2003 and 2013 focusing on DTI in preterm infants were included.
- Keywords included prematurity, neuroimaging, brain, and diffusion tensor imaging.
Main Results:
- 74 DTI studies in preterm infants met the inclusion criteria, revealing significant variability in acquisition and processing.
- Incomplete reporting of DTI settings was common, with only 26% using neonatal hardware.
- Quality control measures like artifact correction and data exclusion were often unreported (45% and 24%, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Current DTI acquisition and processing methods in preterm infant studies are inconsistently reported and highly variable.
- Many studies do not adhere to optimal standards, potentially compromising the reliability of findings.
- Standardization and complete reporting of DTI methodology are urgently needed.
Background:
To study early neurodevelopment in preterm infants, evaluation of brain maturation and injury is increasingly performed using diffusion tensor imaging, for which the reliability of underlying data is paramount.
Objective:
To review the literature to evaluate acquisition and processing methodology in diffusion tensor imaging studies of preterm infants.
Materials And Methods:
We searched the Embase, Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane databases for relevant papers published between 2003 and 2013. The following keywords were included in our search: prematurity, neuroimaging, brain, and diffusion tensor imaging.
Results:
We found 74 diffusion tensor imaging studies in preterm infants meeting our inclusion criteria. There was wide variation in acquisition and processing methodology, and we found incomplete reporting of these settings. Nineteen studies (26%) reported the use of neonatal hardware. Data quality assessment was not reported in 13 (18%) studies. Artefacts-correction and data-exclusion was not reported in 33 (45%) and 18 (24%) studies, respectively. Tensor estimation algorithms were reported in 56 (76%) studies but were often suboptimal.
Conclusion:
Diffusion tensor imaging acquisition and processing settings are incompletely described in current literature, vary considerably, and frequently do not meet the highest standards.
