Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography in cervical compressive myelopathy: preliminary results

Abstract

DTI parameters in CCM patients were significantly different from those in normal volunteers but were not significantly related to myelopathy severity. The patterns of tractography appear to correlate with postoperative neurologic improvement.

Usefulness of diffusion tensor MR imaging in the assessment of intramedullary changes of the cervical spinal cord in different stages of degenerative spine disease

“…Cerebrospinal fluid flow disturbances, resulting from degenerative changes both in static position and during movement, could increase the pressure around the spinal cord and, in turn, alter interstitial diffusion which would result in DTI metrics changes [6]. The differences in FA and ADC values between control group and groups representing advanced, degenerative changes (D, E) were obvious, and has been already described by many authors [1,[6][7][8][13][14][15].…”

“…Therefore, DTI seems to be sensitive to pathological processes altering water diffusion at a microscopic level, far beyond the resolution of conventional MR imaging [13]. Several investigators have carried out DTI studies in patients suffering from CSM [1,[6][7][8][13][14][15]. They found significant differences in FA and ADC values between patients and normal volunteers, even in the absence of T2 hyperintensity of the spinal cord.…”

High Incidence of Undiagnosed Cervical Myelopathy in Patients With Hip Fracture Compared With Controls

“…A gold standard diagnostic modality for CSM is lacking, but in the future, diffusion tensor imaging may provide an absolute diagnostic modality. 29 In conclusion, there was an 18% incidence of undiagnosed neurologic dysfunction, likely cervical myelopathy in patients who presented with hip fractures versus comparable elderly patients. All patients who present with a hip fracture should have a neurologic examination to evaluate for myelopathy and further workup is warranted for positive findings.…”

A combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor image to explore structure–function relationship in healthy and myelopathic spinal cord

“…40 The FA value measured in myelopathic cord was 0.53±0.10, which was also comparable with 0.311-0.621 41 and 0.498±0.114. 42 Notably, the FA value measured in this study is slice averaged rather than being measured at compression level or stenotic segments, due to the following reasons: 1) FA value in the spinal cord is decreased with level, 38,39 thus the values at different levels should be normalized before comparison.…”