Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Normal Cervical and Thoracic Pediatric Spinal Cord

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Pediatric Radiology
• Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Background:

• Limited Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data exists for the healthy pediatric spinal cord, especially beyond the cervical region.
• Previous studies primarily focused on adult spinal cord DTI or limited pediatric cervical cord DTI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of obtaining repeatable DTI parameters in the entire pediatric cervical and thoracic spinal cord.
• To analyze age-related changes in DTI parameters across different spinal cord levels.
• To investigate potential sex differences in pediatric spinal cord DTI parameters.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two typically developing children underwent two identical 3T MRI scans with DTI sequences covering the cervical and thoracic spinal cord.
• Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) parameters were calculated from regions of interest drawn on the entire spinal cord cross-sections.
• Repeatability of DTI parameters was assessed across two scans.

Main Results:

• DTI parameters demonstrated moderate-to-strong repeatability across the entire spinal cord.
• Age-related increases in fractional anisotropy and decreases in diffusivity measures (mean, axial, radial) were observed.
• Significant differences in DTI parameters were noted between upper and lower cervical cord levels, and between cervical and thoracic cord levels.
• No statistically significant sex differences were found for any DTI parameters.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates the feasibility of acquiring repeatable Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data from the entire pediatric spinal cord (cervical and thoracic).
• It provides foundational DTI normative values for the pediatric spinal cord, considering age and sex.
• Findings contribute to a better understanding of spinal cord development and potential applications in pediatric neurological conditions.