Scanning pattern of diffusion tensor tractography and an analysis of the morphology and function of spinal nerve roots  

作　　者：Xin Tian Huaijun Liu Zuojun Geng Hua Yang Guoshi Wang Jiping Yang Chunxia Wang Cuining Li Ying Li 

机构地区：[1]Department of Medical Imaging,the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University

出　　处：《Neural Regeneration Research》2013年第33期3159-3166,共8页中国神经再生研究（英文版）

基　　金：supported by the Instruction Project of Health Department of Hebei Province of China in 2012,No.20120072

摘　　要：Radiculopathy, commonly induced by intervertebral disk bulging or protrusion, is presently diag- nosed in accordance with clinical symptoms because there is no objective quantitative diagnostic criterion. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography revealed the characterization of anisotropic diffusion and displayed the anatomic form of nerve root fibers. This study included 18 cases with intervertebral disc degeneration-induced unilateral radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging was creatively used to reveal the scanning pattern of fiber tracking of the spinal nerve root. A scoring system of nerve root morphology was used to quantitatively assess nerve root morphology and functional alteration after intervertebral disc de- generation. Results showed that after fiber tracking, compared with unaffected nerve root, fiber bundles gathered together and interrupted at the affected side. No significant alteration was de- tected in the number of fiber bundles, but the cross-sectional area of nerve root fibers was reduced. These results suggest that diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging-based tractography can be used to quantitatively evaluate nerve root function according to the area and morphology of fiber bundles of nerve roots.Radiculopathy, commonly induced by intervertebral disk bulging or protrusion, is presently diag- nosed in accordance with clinical symptoms because there is no objective quantitative diagnostic criterion. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography revealed the characterization of anisotropic diffusion and displayed the anatomic form of nerve root fibers. This study included 18 cases with intervertebral disc degeneration-induced unilateral radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging was creatively used to reveal the scanning pattern of fiber tracking of the spinal nerve root. A scoring system of nerve root morphology was used to quantitatively assess nerve root morphology and functional alteration after intervertebral disc de- generation. Results showed that after fiber tracking, compared with unaffected nerve root, fiber bundles gathered together and interrupted at the affected side. No significant alteration was de- tected in the number of fiber bundles, but the cross-sectional area of nerve root fibers was reduced. These results suggest that diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging-based tractography can be used to quantitatively evaluate nerve root function according to the area and morphology of fiber bundles of nerve roots.

关 键 词：neural regeneration spinal cord inerve root degenerative diseasenjury magnetic resonance diffusion imaging tracking nerve injurygrants-supported paper NEUROREGENERATION 

分 类 号：R651.2[医药卫生—外科学]