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Neuroradiology
Published in: Neuroradiology 10/2016

01-10-2016 | Paediatric Neuroradiology

Tensor and non-tensor tractography for the assessment of the corticospinal tract of children with motor disorders: a comparative study

Authors: Maria-Ioanna Stefanou, Daniel E. Lumsden, Jonathan Ashmore, Keyoumars Ashkan, Jean-Pierre Lin, Geoffrey Charles-Edwards

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 10/2016

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Abstract

Introduction

Non-invasive measures of corticospinal tract (CST) integrity may help to guide clinical interventions, particularly in children and young people (CAYP) with motor disorders. We compared diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics extracted from the CST generated by tensor and non-tensor based tractography algorithms.

Methods

For a group of 25 CAYP undergoing clinical evaluation, the CST was reconstructed using (1) deterministic tensor-based tractography algorithm, (2) probabilistic tensor-based, and (3) constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD)-derived tractography algorithms.

Results

Choice of tractography algorithm significantly altered the results of tracking. Larger tracts were consistently defined with CSD, with differences in FA but not MD values for tracts to the pre- or post-central gyrus. Differences between deterministic and probabilistic tensor-based algorithms were minimal. Non-tensor reconstructed tracts appeared to be more anatomically representative. Examining metrics along the tract, difference in FA values appeared to be greatest in voxels with predominantly single-fibre orientations. Less pronounced differences were seen outwith of these regions.

Conclusion

With an increasing interest in the applications of tractography analysis at all stages of movement disorder surgery, it is important that clinicians remain alert to the consequences of choice of tractography algorithm on subsequently generated tracts, including differences in volumes, anatomical reconstruction, and DTI metrics, the latter of which will have global as well as more regional effects. Tract-wide analysis of DTI based metrics is of limited utility, and a more segmental approach to analysis may be appropriate, particularly if disruption to a focal region of a white matter pathway is anticipated.
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Metadata
Title
Tensor and non-tensor tractography for the assessment of the corticospinal tract of children with motor disorders: a comparative study
Authors
Maria-Ioanna Stefanou
Daniel E. Lumsden
Jonathan Ashmore
Keyoumars Ashkan
Jean-Pierre Lin
Geoffrey Charles-Edwards
Publication date
01-10-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Neuroradiology / Issue 10/2016
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-016-1721-y

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