In vivo diffusion tensor imaging of chronic spinal cord compression in rat model

Matthew M. Cheung, Darrell T.H. Li, Edward S. Hui, Shujuan Fan, Abby Y. Ding, Yong Hu, Ed X. Wu

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Chronic spinal cord compression induced cervical myelopathy is a comon cause of spinal cord dysfunction. The exact mechanisms of underlying progressive cell death remain to be elucidated. In this study, in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been applied to investigate the microstructural changes of white matter (WM) in this neurodegenerative disease. Compared with conventional MRI techniques, DTI is believed to be more specific to pathological changes. Radial diffusivity (λ⊥) is higher in the ipilesional region, suggesting demyelination or axonal degradation may occur after prolonged compression. Near the epicenter of lesion, axial diffusivity (λ∥) is lower. Also, caudal-rostral asymmetry has been observed in λ∥. Feasibility of using DTI to detect microstructural changes in chronic disease has been demonstrated.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Subtitle of host publicationEngineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009
Pages2715-2718
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society: Engineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009 - Minneapolis, MN, United States
Duration: 2 Sept 20096 Sept 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society: Engineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009

Conference

Conference31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society: Engineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMinneapolis, MN
Period2/09/096/09/09

Keywords

  • Axial diffusivity
  • Cervical myelopathy
  • DTI
  • MRI
  • Radial diffusivity
  • Spinal cord compression

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Medicine

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