Normal Parameters of Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Spinal Cord in Chhattisgarh state population: Original article

Dr Nilesh Gupta; Dr.Manish Meshram; Dr Anand Bansal; Dr Vivek Patre; Dr S B S Netam; Dr Vishal Jain; Dr Sanjay Kumar

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

Normal Parameters of Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Spinal Cord in Chhattisgarh state population: Original article

Dr Nilesh Gupta, Dr. Manish Meshram, Dr Anand Bansal, Dr Vivek Patre, Dr S B S Netam, Dr Vishal Jain, Dr Sanjay Kumar

Abstract :

Purpose:

Our purpose is to evaluate in vivo normal measurements of parameters of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) by performing Tractography of spinal cord at various levels of spinal cordand to compare DTI–indices,including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), between different cord regions. To evaluate normal range of FA and mean ADC values of spinal cord.

We evaluated the usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in diagnosing patients with cervical myelopathy by determining the accuracy of normal DTI parameter values.

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DTI can visualize white matter tracts in vivo and quantify anisotropy. DTI is known to be more sensitive than conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting subtle pathological changes of the spinal cord.

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Methods

A total of 50 healthy subjects (27 men and 23 women; age, 20–87 years; mean age, 53.5 years) were included in this studyin 1 year period betweenJuly 2017– June 2018. The patients with the symptoms of myelopathy , radiculopathy or post trauma had excluded. A 3 Tesla MRI scanner Siemens, serial number – 45445 was used to obtain diffusion tensor images. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were measured as DTI parameters on axial sections of several cervical levels. Subjects were divided into two groups: >40 years (n=16) and ≤40 years (n=15). A paired t–test was used to compare significant differences between the groups. ADC and FA values were most stable on axial sections.

A total of 31 normal subjects (13 men and 18 women; age, 23–87 years; mean age, 46.0 years) were included in this study. The patients had no symptoms of myelopathy or radiculopathy. A Philips Achieva 3–Tesla MRI with SE–type Single Shot EPI was used to obtain diffusion tensor images. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were measured as DTI parameters on axial sections of several cervical levels. Subjects were divided into two groups: >40 years (n=16) and ≤40 years (n=15). A paired t–test was used to compare significant differences between the groups. ADC and FA values were most stable on axial sections.

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Results

For all subjects, mean ADC and FA values were 1.06±0.09×10^–3 mm²/sec and 0.68±0.05×10^–3 mm²/sec, respectively. ADC was significantly higher in subjects >40 years of age than in those ≤40 years. There was no significant difference in FA values between the two groups. The mean ADC value was significantly higher in normal subjects >40 years of age than in those ≤40 years.

For all subjects, mean ADC and FA values were 1.06±0.09×10^–3 mm²/sec and 0.68±0.05, respectively. ADC was significantly higher in subjects >40 years of age than in those ≤40 years. There was no significant difference in FA values between the two groups. The mean ADC value was significantly higher in normal subjects >40 years of age than in those ≤40 years.

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Conclusions

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the spinal cord is more sensitive than conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate integrity of the nerve fies. Normal values of DTI parameters were identified in healthy subjects and were both reproducible and stable, which suggested that this method could be useful for patient assessment. Among the study participants, a significant difference was found only in the comparison of ADC by age; and at different levels.