Quantitative Evaluation and Visualization of Lumbar Foraminal Nerve Root Entrapment by Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Preliminary Results
Quantitative Evaluation and Visualization of Lumbar Foraminal Nerve Root Entrapment by Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Preliminary Results
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DOI：
10.3174/ajnr.a2681
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发表时间：
2011-11-01
影响因子：
3.5
通讯作者：
Takahashi, K.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Eguchi, Y.;Ohtori, S.;Takahashi, K.
背景和目的：DTI 可以提供有价值的结构信息，可能成为评估腰椎间孔神经根卡压的创新工具。本研究的目的是通过使用 DTI 和 31 MR 成像纤维束成像来可视化健康志愿者和腰椎间孔狭窄患者的腰神经根并测量其 FA。 材料和方法：8 名腰椎间孔狭窄患者和 8 名健康志愿者接受了 3T MR 成像。在所有受试者中，均采用 b 值为 800 s/mm(2) 的平面回波成像进行 DTI，并通过纤维束成像对腰神经根进行可视化。在 DTI 图像上量化腰神经根的平均 FA 值。结果：在所有受试者中，腰神经根通过纤维束成像清晰可见。在所有患者中，纤维束造影还显示出异常情况，例如纤维束破坏、神经变窄以及穿过椎间孔的过程中出现压痕。被卡压的根部的平均 FA 值显着低于完整的根部。 结论：我们证明，DTI 和人体腰神经束成像可以可视化并定量评估椎间孔卡压的腰神经！狭窄。我们相信 DWI 是诊断腰神经卡压的潜在工具。
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: DTI can provide valuable structural information that may become an innovative tool in evaluating lumbar foraminal nerve root entrapment. The purpose of this study was to visualize the lumbar nerve roots and to measure their FA in healthy volunteers and patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis by using DTI and tractography with 31 MR imaging.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis and 8 healthy volunteers underwent 3T MR imaging. In all subjects, DTI was performed with echo-planar imaging at a b-value of 800 s/mm(2) and the lumbar nerve roots were visualized with tractography. Mean FA values in the lumbar nerve roots were quantified on DTI images.RESULTS: In all subjects, the lumbar nerve roots were clearly visualized with tractography. In all patients, tractography also showed abnormalities such as tract disruption, nerve narrowing, and indentation in their course through the foramen. Mean FA values were significantly lower in entrapped roots than in intact roots.CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that DTI and tractography of human lumbar nerves can visualize and quantitatively evaluate lumbar nerve entrapment with foramina! stenosis. We believe that DWI is a potential tool for the diagnosis of lumbar nerve entrapment.