Abstract
Introduction
We employed a diffusion-tensor (DT) imaging technique involving a single-shot echo-planar sequence in combination with parallel imaging for tractography of the lower spinal cord and assessed the feasibility of this technique.
Methods
Images were obtained at 1.5 T using a five-channel receiver coil. We used a single-shot echo-planar sequence with parallel imaging to acquire diffusion-weighted (DW) images in the axial plane with phase encoding in the right–left direction. A motion-probing gradient was applied in six directions with a b-value of 1,000 s/mm2. The scan time was 5 min 15 s. On a reconstructed DW image in the sagittal plane, the spinal cord was included in a single region-of-interest to generate a tractogram of the entire cord in seven volunteers and nine patients with spinal canal stenosis or vertebral metastasis.
Results
In each subject, although the conus medullaris and cauda equina were continuously visualized, the cord was demonstrated as a bundle of tracts color-coded in the z-axis. Nerve roots were depicted showing color-coding in the x- and y-axes. In the patient group, displacement of the cord was depicted showing changes in the color of the cord. Displacement of the proximal nerve roots was also depicted in the two patients with vertebral metastasis.
Conclusion
DT imaging using parallel imaging shows potential as a method for routine tractography of the lower spinal cord.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wheeler-Kingshott CA, Hickman SJ, Parker GJ, Ciccarelli O, Symms MR, Miller DH, Barker GJ (2002) Investigating cervical spinal cord structure using axial diffusion tensor imaging. Neuroimage 16:93–102
Murphy BP, Zientara GP, Huppi PS, Maier SE, Barnes PD, Jolesz FA, Volpe JJ (2001) Line scan diffusion tensor MRI of the cervical spinal cord in preterm infants. J Magn Reson Imaging 13:949–953
Voss HU, Watts R, Ulug AM, Ballon D (2006) Fiber tracking in the cervical spine and inferior brain regions with reversed gradient diffusion tensor imaging. Magn Reson Imaging 24:231–239
Yamada K, Kizu O, Mori S, Ito H, Nakamura H, Yuen S, Kubota T, Tanaka O, Akada W, Sasajima H, Mineura K, Nishimura T (2003) Brain fiber tracking with clinically feasible diffusion-tensor MR imaging: initial experience. Radiology 227:295–301
Tsuchiya K, Fujikawa A, Suzuki Y (2005) Diffusion tractography of the cervical spinal cord by using parallel imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 26:398–400
Ozanne A, Krings T, Facon D, Fillard P, Dumas JL, Alveraz H, Ducreux D, Lasjaunias P (2007) MR diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking in spinal cord arteriovenous malformations: a preliminary study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 28:1271–1279
Melhem ER, Mori S, Mukundan G, Kraut MA, Pomper MG, van Zijl PCM (2002) Diffusion tensor MR imaging of the brain and white matter tractography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 178:3–16
Cercignami M, Horsfield MA, Agosta F, Fillipi M (2003) Sensitivity-encoded diffusion tensor MR imaging of the cervical cord. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 24:1254–1256
Maiser SE, Mamata H (2005) Diffusion tensor imaging of the spinal cord. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1064:50–60
Mamata H, De Girolami U, Hoge WS, Jolesz FA, Maiser SE (2006) Collateral nerve fibers in human spinal cord: visualization with magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging. Neuroimage 31:24–30
Lee JW, Kim JH, Kang HS, Lee JS, Choi JY, Yeom JS, Kim HJ, Chung HW (2006) Optimization of acquisition parameters of diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging in the spinal cord. Invest Radiol 41:553–559
Schwartz ED, Duda J, Shumsky JS, Cooper ET, Gee J (2005) Spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking can identify white matter tract disruption and glial scar orientation following lateral funiculotomy. J Neurotrauma 22:1388–1398
Mamata H, Jolesz FA, Maiser SE (2005) Apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy in spinal cord: age and cervical spondylosis-related changes. Magn Reson Imaging 22:38–43
Maravilla KR, Bowen B (1998) Imaging of the peripheral nervous system: evaluation of peripheral neuropathy and plexopathy. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 19:1011–1023
Moore KR, Tsuruda JS, Dailey AT (2001) The value of MR neurography for evaluating extraspinal neuropathic leg pain: a pictorial essay. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 22:786–794
Conflict of interest statement
Yuriko Suzuki is an employee of Philips Medical Systems; however, Philips Medical Systems has no financial interest in this study. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tsuchiya, K., Fujikawa, A., Honya, K. et al. Diffusion tensor tractography of the lower spinal cord. Neuroradiology 50, 221–225 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-007-0335-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-007-0335-9