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Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine

Published in:

01-04-2020 | Research Article

The reproducibility of measurements using a standardization phantom for the evaluation of fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)

Authors: Mitsuhiro Kimura, Hidetake Yabuuchi, Ryoji Matsumoto, Koji Kobayashi, Yasuo Yamashita, Kazuya Nagatomo, Ryoji Mikayama, Takeshi Kamitani, Koji Sagiyama, Yuzo Yamasaki

Published in: Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine | Issue 2/2020

Abstract

Objectives

It is necessary to standardize the examination procedure and diagnostic criteria of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the reproducibility of measurements using a standardization phantom composed of different fibre materials with different fibre densities (FDs) for the evaluation of fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from DTI.

Materials and methods

Two types of fibre materials wrapped in heat-shrinkable tubes were used as fibre phantoms. We designed fibre phantoms with three different FDs of each fibre material. The standardization phantom was examined using DTI protocol six times a day, and each examination session was repeated once a month for 7 consecutive months. Fibre tracking was performed by setting regions of interest in the FA map, and FA was measured in each fibre phantom. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were used to evaluate the inter-examination reproducibility of FA values. Furthermore, Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate the intra-operator reproducibility of FA measurements.

Results

All CVs for each fibre phantom were within 2% throughout the 7-month study of repeated DTI sessions. The high intra-operator reproducibility of the FA measurement was confirmed.

Discussion

High reproducibility of measurements using a standardization phantom for the evaluation of FA was achieved.

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Title: The reproducibility of measurements using a standardization phantom for the evaluation of fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
Authors: Mitsuhiro Kimura
Hidetake Yabuuchi
Ryoji Matsumoto
Koji Kobayashi
Yasuo Yamashita
Kazuya Nagatomo
Ryoji Mikayama
Takeshi Kamitani
Koji Sagiyama
Yuzo Yamasaki
Publication date: 01-04-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 0968-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1352-8661
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-019-00776-w

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The reproducibility of measurements using a standardization phantom for the evaluation of fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

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