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Published in: Pediatric Radiology 8/2007

01-08-2007 | Minisymposium

Clinical applications of diffusion tensor imaging and tractography in children

Author: Nancy K. Rollins

Published in: Pediatric Radiology | Issue 8/2007

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Abstract

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a relatively new addition to routine MR imaging. DTI exploits the preferential movement of water protons within the brain along the axis of the axons. This anisotropic diffusion provides information about the immature brain prior to myelination, during maturation, and in normal and disease states, information that MRI cannot provide. By virtue of sensitivity to anisotropic movement of protons, DTI allows the core of larger individual white matter tracts to be visualized as discreet anatomic structures. DTI can also provide information about the microarchitecture of white matter in the form of metrics referred to as fractional anisotropy and diffusivity. The information contained within the diffusion tensor data can be used to create 3-D mathematical renderings of white matter or tractography. This article is an introduction to DTI for pediatric radiologists interested in exploring potential applications in children.
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Metadata
Title
Clinical applications of diffusion tensor imaging and tractography in children
Author
Nancy K. Rollins
Publication date
01-08-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Pediatric Radiology / Issue 8/2007
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0524-z

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