Keywords:
Neuroradiology brain, Anatomy, Musculoskeletal spine, MR, MR-Diffusion/Perfusion, MR-Functional imaging, Experimental investigations, Imaging sequences, Education, Tissue characterisation
Authors:
M. Skotarczak1, A. Szarmach1, A. Durawa2, M. Kaszubowski1, M. Dubaniewicz-Wybieralska1, E. Szurowska1; 1Gdańsk/PL, 280-283/PL
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-0451
Aims and objectives
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a non-invasive magnetic resonance technique recognized as functional imaging,
based on the measurement of the movement of water molecules in the extracellular and intravascular space.
In most tissues this movement is free and takes place in all directions,
while in some tissues with natural biological barriers this movement is limited and takes place along the barriers.
In nerve tissue,
these natural barriers are myelin sheaths and cell membranes,
which limit the free movement of water molecules and force them along the nerve fibers,
directing this movement.
Quantitative analysis of nerve fibers can be performed using the fractional anisotropy (FA) parameter and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).
An additional application is a Diffusion Tensor Tractography (DTT),
which allows a three-dimensional graphical representation of waterways in white matter.
The aim of study was to evaluate the reference values of FA and ADC in the cervical spine in healthy subjects and to evaluate a normal width of cervical spinal canal in patients without clinical or radiological symptoms of cervical spine disease.