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. 2006 Oct;27(9):1947-51.

MR diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking in inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord

J Renoux  1 , D Facon, P Fillard, I Huynh, P Lasjaunias, D Ducreux
Affiliations

MR diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking in inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord

J Renoux et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: Our aim was to study the fractional anisotropy (FA) variations and the fiber tracking (FT) patterns observed in patients with myelitis.

Material and methods: Fifteen patients with symptomatic myelitis and 11 healthy subjects were prospectively selected. We performed T2-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging on a 1.5T MR scanner. FA and apparent diffusion coefficient maps were computed in both healthy subjects and patients. In each patient, we performed FT to study pathologic aspects on this imaging method. FA data were analyzed by using z-scores.

Results: For the healthy subjects, averaged FA values ranged from 0.745 to 0.751. All abnormal areas seen on T2-weighted imaging had a significantly decreased FA value. In 9 patients (60%), FA maps showed decreased FA areas, whereas T2-weighted imaging findings were normal. These areas matched the neurologic deficit in 33%. Eighty percent of patients had multiple decreased FA areas. Five patients (33%) had increased FA values in normal T2-weighted areas.

Conclusion: We observed specific FA and FT pattern variations in patients with myelitis.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
T2-weighted bo image and FA map in the same patient. The lesion was not visible on bo images, and we used T2-weighted images to set the ROI (FA = 0,58). Arrow indicates ADC and FA areas.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
ADC variation patterns and increased FA area locations. MS indicates multiple sclerosis.
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
3D FT reconstruction of the cervical cord in a healthy subject.
Fig 4.
Fig 4.
3D FT reconstruction of a patient’s cervical cord shows spreading fibers (red arrow).
Fig 5.
Fig 5.
3D FT reconstruction of a patient’s cervical cord shows the “broken” fibers (red arrow) aspect.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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