Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Forearm Nerves in Humans

Overview

Journal J Magn Reson Imaging

Date 2012 Jun 13

PMID 22689475

Citations 18

Authors

Yuxiang Zhou

Manickam Kumaravel

Vipulkumar S Patel

Kazim A Sheikh

Ponnada A Narayana

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To implement a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocol for visualization of peripheral nerves in human forearm.

Materials And Methods: This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant study was approved by our Institutional Review Board and written informed consent was obtained from 10 healthy participants. T(1) - and T(2) -weighted turbo spin echo with fat saturation, short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and DTI sequences with 21 diffusion-encoding directions were implemented to acquire images of the forearm nerves with an 8 channel knee coil on a 3T MRI scanner. Identification of the nerves was based on T(1) -weighted, T(2) -weighted, STIR, and DTI-derived fractional anisotropy (FA) images. Maps of the DTI-derived indices, FA, mean diffusivity (MD), longitudinal diffusivity (λ(//) ), and radial diffusivity (λ(⟂) ) along the length of the nerves were generated.

Results: DTI-derived maps delineated the forearm nerves more clearly than images acquired with other sequences. Only ulnar and median nerves were clearly visualized on the DTI-derived FA maps. No significant differences were observed between the left and right forearms in any of the DTI-derived measures. Significant variation in the DTI measures was observed along the length of the nerve. Significant differences in the DTI measures were also observed between the median and ulnar nerves.

Conclusion: DTI is superior in visualizing the median and ulnar nerves in the human forearm. The normative data could potentially help distinguish normal from diseased nerves.

Citing Articles

Meta-analysis of the normal diffusion tensor imaging values of the peripheral nerves in the upper limb.

Wade R, Lu F, Poruslrani Y, Karia C, Feltbower R, Plein S Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):4852.

PMID: 36964186 PMC: 10039047. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31307-2.

Meta-analysis of the normal diffusion tensor imaging values of the median nerve and how they change in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Rojoa D, Raheman F, Rassam J, Wade R Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):20935.

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Role of diffusion tensor imaging in the evaluation of ulnar nerve involvement in leprosy.

Aggarwal A, Das C, Khanna N, Sharma R, Srivastava D, Goyal V Br J Radiol. 2021; 95(1129):20210290.

PMID: 34558292 PMC: 8722232. DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20210290.

Diffusion tensor imaging in cubital tunnel syndrome.

Griffiths T, Flather R, Teh I, Haroon H, Shelley D, Plein S Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):14982.

PMID: 34294771 PMC: 8298404. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94211-7.

Initial findings in traumatic peripheral nerve injury and repair with diffusion tensor imaging.

Pridmore M, Glassman G, Pollins A, Manzanera Esteve I, Drolet B, Weikert D Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2021; 8(2):332-347.

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