"Application of multishot diffusion tensor imaging in spinal cord tumor" by Jiefei Li, Le He et al.

Article Title

Application of multishot diffusion tensor imaging in spinal cord tumors

Authors

Jiefei Li, Department of Neurosurgery, Yuquan Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100040, China
Le He, Department of Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Yuqi Zhang, Department of Neurosurgery, Yuquan Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100040, China

Keywords

diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), spinal cord, tumor, magnetic resonance imaging, multishot DTI

Abstract

Objective:To explore the usefulness of multishot diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for evaluating the neurological function of patients with spinal cord tumorsMethods:Routine magnetic resonance imaging and multishot DTI were performed in five patients with spinal cord tumors. The values of fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) were analyzed.Results:Multishot DTI of spinal cord tumors allowed for defining the margins of tumors and determining the relationship of tumors with the adjacent white matter structures of the spinal cord. Multishot DTI demonstrated significantly increased RD and decreased FA of spinal cord tumors compared with those of the normal spinal cord.Conclusions:Multishot DTI is a potentially useful modality for differentiating resectable tumors from nonresectable ones based on preoperative imaging alone as well as for differentiating intramedullary tumors from extramedullary ones. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results.