The Application Value Of DTI And DTT In Diagnosis Of Intramedullary And Extramedullary Lesions

Objective To study diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) and diffusion tensor tractography(DTT) in application value of intramedullary and extramedullary lesions, through intramedullaty and extramedullary lesions in patients with cervical spinal cord structure of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement and analysis of anisotropic fraction, the fine structure of the spinal cord and the underlying pathological changes were quantified. To observe the relationship between the lesions and the fiber bundle, and to provide valuable information for clinic.Methods 10 cases of intramedullary spinal cord lesions(intramedullary group), 30 cases of extramedullary spinal cord lesions(extramedullary group) and 20 healthy volunteers(control group) underwent MRI and DTI scanning by 1.5T MR. The values of FA and ADC were measured in intramedullary lesions and compression of spinal cord, observing the effects of intramedullary and extramedullary lesions in morphology and structure of white matter fiber..Results Among the extramedullary group, ADC values [(1.31±0.24)×10-3mm2/s] of extramedullary group-Ⅰwere increased slightly, and FA values(0.48±0.05) were decreased slightly as compared with the normal control group(P<0.05). Extramedullary group-Ⅱ patients had significantly increased ADC values [(1.51±0.21)×10-3mm2/s] and decreased FA values(0.40±0.03) in the lesion level compared with the normal levels(P<0.05). Compared with the intramedullary group and the control group, the ADC values [(1.76±0.21)×10-3mm2/s] was significantly elevated, and the FA values(0.36±0.04) was obviously reduced(P<0.05). DTT technology successfully showed the abnormal areas of the white matter, including sparseness, grow downwards, deformation, displacement, interruption and other changes.Conclusion FA value and ADC value can objectively reflect the extent of spinal cord damage and evaluate the integrity of the spinal cord conduction function, and more sensitive than conventional MRI, provide more accurate range of lesions for clinic. DTT can clearly display the anatomical relationship between the normal bundles of fibers and disease, which is beneficial to make preoperative plan.