Yifang Bao, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Weijun Tang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dao-Ying Geng MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To explore diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography in directly demonstrating nerve fiber changes of brachial plexus neoplastic lesions.

Ten patients with neoplastic lesions and 1 patient with tumor-like lesion underwent DTI on a 3.0-T system in addition to conventional MR protocol, including 8 cases of schwannoma, 1 case of invasive fibrous tumor and 1 case of synovial sarcoma, which were proved pathologically. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and tractography of brachial plexus were obtained. 

The lesions were clearly delineated with tractography, and the nerve fibers were displaced and deformed obviously. Mean FA values of lesions, nearby nerve fibers and the opposite normal nerve fibers were obtained as follows: 0.235±0.031, 0.352±0.074 and 0.403±0.108 in 8 cases of schwannoma, 0.229±0.062, 0.272±0.075, 0.352±0.046 in the invasive fibrous tumor, 0.289±0.153, 0.383±0.001 and 0.412±0.104 in the synovial sarcoma, respectively. Mean FA value of the tumor-like lesion was 0.308±0.095, and its opposite normal nerve fiber was 0.409±0.003.

DTI could clearly show the relationship between neoplastic lesions and brachial plexus nerve fibers, and FA value could provide more accurate information for diagnosis of tumor lesions.

DTI-derived measurements and three-dimensional tractography could clearly show the relationship in neoplastic conditions of brachial plexus, and FA value could provide more accurate information for diagnosis of tumor lesions. 

Bao, Y, Tang, W, Geng, D, DTI-derived Measurements and Three-dimensional Tractography in Neoplastic Conditions of Brachial Plexus.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14008978.html