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Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging and tractography of the lower spinal cord: application to diastematomyelia and tethered cord

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Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the feasibility of routine clinical DTI of the lower spinal cord using high-field-strength MRI and parallel imaging, and to evaluate the utility of diffusion tensor imaging and tractography as tools for study of lower cord pathology.

Methods

Three patients with diastematomyelia, one patient with tethered cord, and six normal volunteers underwent MR imaging of the lower spine at 3 T. A 15-channel spine coil and parallel imaging were used with a six-direction single-shot echo-planar gradient echo technique.

Results

In normal volunteers, tractography delineated the conus and cauda equina. Tractography software permitted assessment of fractional anisotropy of the distal cord and nerve roots. In cases of tethered cord, tractography correlated with anatomical imaging. Tractography also correlated with the anatomical pathological findings in cases of diastematomyelia.

Conclusions

The methods described enable routine DTI and tractography of the lower spinal cord at 3 T. Compared with conventional imaging, tractography offers additional information that may prove useful in the characterization and surgical planning for congenital lesions involving the lower spinal cord.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Gretchen White and the MR technology staff of Fletcher Allen Hospital for their help with this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, 55 Lake Ave N, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA

    Keith A. Cauley

  2. Department of Radiology, Fletcher Allen Healthcare, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA

    Christopher G. Filippi, Trevor Andrews, Jay V. Gonyea & Grant Linnell

  3. Philips Healthcare, 595 Miner Rd., Highland Heights, OH, 44143, USA

    Trevor Andrews

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  1. Christopher G. Filippi
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  2. Trevor Andrews
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  5. Keith A. Cauley
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Correspondence to Keith A. Cauley.

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Filippi, C.G., Andrews, T., Gonyea, J.V. et al. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging and tractography of the lower spinal cord: application to diastematomyelia and tethered cord. Eur Radiol 20, 2194–2199 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1797-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1797-4

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