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Skeletal Radiology

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01-01-2009 | Scientific Article

Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of the median nerve at 1.5T: optimization of b value

Authors: Gustav Andreisek, Lawrence M. White, Andrea Kassner, George Tomlinson, Marshall S. Sussman

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to systematically assess the optimal b value for diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of the median nerve at 1.5 T.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective study which was carried out with institutional review board approval and written informed consent from the study subjects. Fifteen healthy volunteers (seven men, eight women; mean age, 31.2 years) underwent diffusion tensor imaging of the wrist. A single-shot spin-echo-based echo-planar imaging sequence (TR/TE, 7000/103 ms) was performed in each subject at eight different b values ranging from 325 to 1,550 s/mm². Number and length of reconstructed fiber tracts, fiber density index (FDi), fractional anisotropy (FA), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated for the median nerve. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was also calculated for each acquisition. The overall image quality was assessed by two readers in consensus by ranking representative fiber tract images for each subject using a scale range from 1 to 8 (1 = best to 8 = worst image quality).

Results

Longest fibers were observed for b values between 675 and 1,025 s/mm². Maximum FDi was found at b values of 1,025 s/mm². FA was between 0.5 and 0.6 for all b values. ADC gradually decreased from 1.44 × 10⁻³ to 0.92 × 10⁻³ mm²/s with increasing b values. Maximum SNR ± standard deviation (175.4 ± 72.6) was observed at the lowest b value and decreased with increasing b values. SNR at b values of 1,025 s/mm² was 48.5% of the maximum SNR. Optimal fiber tract image quality was found for b values of 1,025 s/mm².

Conclusions

The optimal b value for diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of the median nerve at 1.5 T was 1,025 s/mm².

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Title: Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of the median nerve at 1.5T: optimization of b value
Authors: Gustav Andreisek
Lawrence M. White
Andrea Kassner
George Tomlinson
Marshall S. Sussman
Publication date: 01-01-2009
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Skeletal Radiology / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0577-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of the median nerve at 1.5T: optimization of b value

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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