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Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...

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Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery

Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery

Published on: July 5, 2021

Diffusion MRI tractography for neurosurgery: the basics, current state, technical reliability and challenges.

Joseph Yuan-Mou Yang^1,2,3,4, Chun-Hung Yeh^5,6, Cyril Poupon⁷

¹Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Physics in Medicine and Biology

|June 22, 2021

Summary

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) tractography visualizes white matter tracts non-invasively, crucial for neurosurgery. This review updates tractography methods to improve surgical accuracy and patient outcomes.

Keywords:

diffusion MRI fibre tracking neurosurgery reliability tractography

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Last Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery

Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery

Published on: July 5, 2021

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

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Published on: November 8, 2012

DTI of the Visual Pathway - White Matter Tracts and Cerebral Lesions

DTI of the Visual Pathway - White Matter Tracts and Cerebral Lesions

Published on: August 26, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroimaging
Neuroscience
Medical Physics

Background:

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) tractography is the sole non-invasive method for visualizing in vivo white matter (WM) tracts.
Its clinical utility is significant in neurosurgery for pre-surgical planning and intraoperative guidance.
Accurate WM tract delineation is critical to prevent neurological deficits from surgical injury.

Purpose of the Study:

To review dMRI tractography physics and methodologies for neurosurgery.
To highlight recent advances and provide key concepts for tractography-informed neurosurgery.
To discuss current practices, challenges, and future directions.

Main Methods:

Review of dMRI physics principles.
Analysis of tractography reconstruction methodologies.
Synthesis of research advancements over the past 25 years.

Main Results:

Tractography accuracy has significantly improved through research.
Understanding dMRI physics and processing steps is key to quality.
Tractography-informed neurosurgery offers potential for improved surgical outcomes.

Conclusions:

An updated review of tractography is timely for clinical neurosurgical applications.
Addressing technical challenges and future demands is essential for advancing the field.
Enhanced understanding and application of dMRI tractography can optimize neurosurgical interventions.