Pat Suntarawipath Kwankaew MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Thanwa Sudsang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Witaya Sungkarat, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jiraporn Laothammatas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To prospectively explore the ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with the use of probabilistic tractography algorithm in depicting microstructural changes of the spinal cord in cervical spondylosis.

This study was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Fourteen patients(mean age 53+7) with clinically diagnosed cervical spondylosis and 10 healthy volunteers (mean age 47+7) underwent DTI on 3 T scanner. Diffusion tensor imaging using probabilistic tractography algorithm was used to calculate fractional anisotrophy(FA), mean diffusitivity(MD), major eigenvalue(E1), minor eigenvalues(E23) and probabilistic connectivity (PC) for 3 regions of interest(ROI) in the spinal cord. The regions of interest were mannually drawn at consistent regions:C2/3(ROI1), C4/5(ROI2) and C6/7(ROI3) intervertebral levels. Differences in the parameters between the two groups were analyzed.  

Statistically significant differences(P<0.05) in MD, E1 and E23 were observed for the ROI2(C4/5). These diffusion parameters are lower in patients with cervical spondylosis when compared to those of normal volunteers. Calculated mean MD, E1, E23 values in cervical spondylotic patients are 1.71, 2.6 and 1.85 respectively. Mean MD, E1 and E23 values in volunteers are 2.13, 3.09 and 2.45 respectively. No statistically significant differences of these parameters were shown in ROI1 and ROI3. For FA, no statistically significant differences were observed in any region. In addition, reduction of probabilistic tract connectivity from C2/3 to C4/5 and from C2/3 to C6/7 was observed in patient group.     

DTI with the use of probabilistic tractography enables the identification of the differences in diffusitivity and white matter tract connectivity, which believed to be reflective of microstructural integrity, between the healthy subjects and patients with cervical spondylosis.

DTI-derived parameters can demonstrate changes in spinal cord in patient with cervical spondylosis.

Kwankaew, P, Sudsang, T, Sungkarat, W, Laothammatas, J, Diffusion Tensor Imaging with Probabilistic Tractography of Cervical Spinal Cord in Cervical Spondylosis.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11034639.html