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01-09-2016 | Functional Neuroradiology

Kinetic DTI of the cervical spine: diffusivity changes in healthy subjects

Authors: Félix P. Kuhn, Antoine Feydy, Nathalie Launay, Marie-Martine Lefevre-Colau, Serge Poiraudeau, Sébastien Laporte, Marc A. Maier, Pavel Lindberg

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 9/2016

Abstract

Introduction

The study aims to assess the influence of neck extension on water diffusivity within the cervical spinal cord.

Methods

IRB approved the study in 22 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent anatomical MR and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 1.5 T. The cervical cord was imaged in neutral (standard) position and extension. Segmental vertebral rotations were analyzed on sagittal T2-weighted images using the SpineView® software. Spinal cord diffusivity was measured in cross-sectional regions of interests at multiple levels (C1–C5).

Results

As a result of non-adapted coil geometry for spinal extension, 10 subjects had to be excluded. Image quality of the remaining 12 subjects was good without any deteriorating artifacts. Quantitative measurements of vertebral rotation angles and diffusion parameters showed good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.84–0.99). DTI during neck extension revealed significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) at the C3 level and increased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) at the C3 and C4 levels (p < 0.01 Bonferroni corrected). The C3/C4 level corresponded to the maximal absolute change in segmental vertebral rotation between the two positions. The increase in RD correlated positively with the degree of global extension, i.e., the summed vertebral rotation angle between C1 and C5 (R = 0.77, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Our preliminary results suggest that DTI can quantify changes in water diffusivity during cervical spine extension. The maximal differences in segmental vertebral rotation corresponded to the levels with significant changes in diffusivity (C3/C4). Consequently, kinetic DTI measurements may open new perspectives in the assessment of neural tissue under biomechanical constraints.

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Title: Kinetic DTI of the cervical spine: diffusivity changes in healthy subjects
Authors: Félix P. Kuhn
Antoine Feydy
Nathalie Launay
Marie-Martine Lefevre-Colau
Serge Poiraudeau
Sébastien Laporte
Marc A. Maier
Pavel Lindberg
Publication date: 01-09-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 9/2016
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-016-1709-7

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Springer Medicine

Kinetic DTI of the cervical spine: diffusivity changes in healthy subjects

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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