Scanning pattern of diffusion tensor tractography and an analysis of the morphology and function of spinal nerve roots.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Tian, Xin Liu, Huaijun Geng, Zuojun Yang, Hua Wang, Guoshi Yang, Jiping Wang, Chunxia Li, Cuining Li, Ying
Editor	Wang, J Qiu, Y Li, CH Song, LP Liu, WJ Zhao, M
Copyright Year	2013
Abstract	Radiculopathy, commonly induced by intervertebral disk bulging or protrusion, is presently diagnosed in accordance with clinical symptoms because there is no objective quantitative diagnostic criterion. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography revealed the characterization of anisotropic diffusion and displayed the anatomic form of nerve root fibers. This study included 18 cases with intervertebral disc degeneration-induced unilateral radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging was creatively used to reveal the scanning pattern of fiber tracking of the spinal nerve root. A scoring system of nerve root morphology was used to quantitatively assess nerve root morphology and functional alteration after intervertebral disc degeneration. Results showed that after fiber tracking, compared with unaffected nerve root, fiber bundles gathered together and interrupted at the affected side. No significant alteration was detected in the number of fiber bundles, but the cross-sectional area of nerve root fibers was reduced. These results suggest that diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging-based tractography can be used to quantitatively evaluate nerve root function according to the area and morphology of fiber bundles of nerve roots.
ISSN	16735374
Volume Number	8
PubMed Central reference number	PMC4158705
Issue Number	33
PubMed reference number	25206637
Journal	Neural Regeneration Research [Neural Regen Res]
e-ISSN	18767958
DOI	10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.33.010
Language	English
Publisher	Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
Publisher Date	2013-11-01
Publisher Place	India
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright: © Neural Regeneration Research
Subject Keyword	neural regeneration spinal cord injury magnetic resonance diffusion imaging tracking nerve injury nerve root degenerative disease grants-supported paper neuroregeneration
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Developmental Neuroscience Neuroscience