磁共振弥散张量成像对正常大脑白质纤维束构象的初步研究

目的利用磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)研究正常成人脑内各部位各向异性程度及正常白质纤维束构象特征.方法对25名正常志愿者进行常规MR及DTI序列检查,重建FA图及三维彩色编码张量图.分别在半卵圆中心、基底节区和大脑脚层面测量主要白质束的FA值.结果DTI显示灰质与白质区各向异性存在显著差异,不同部位的白质纤维束各向异性程度亦不相同,且左右两侧基本对称,重建FA图和三维彩色编码张量图可显示白质内大部分主要的白质纤维束.结论DTI可清晰显示脑内白质纤维束的走行及分布,为了解脑功能与白质通路间关系提供了有力研究手段.     

正常儿童脑组织成分变化--扩散张量成像的研究

目的　应用扩散张量成像分析正常儿童脑实质的扩散特性 ,研究儿童脑组织的成熟规律。方法　对 63名正常儿童 (年龄 2d～ 9岁 )行头部扩散张量成像 ,于ADC图上测量不同部位脑组织平均扩散度 ,并对其进行统计分析。结果　 (1)婴儿期脑灰质、白质的ADC值存在显著性差异 ,ADC图可见明显灰白质对比 ;(2 )婴儿期脑白质ADC值的降低快于灰质 ;(3 )各部位脑实质ADC值均随年龄增加而降低 ,与年龄呈指数负相关 ,具有统计学意义。结论　扩散张量成像可反映活体脑组织的成分变化 ,可用于评价儿童脑发育情况     

扩散张量的三维纤维束成像在多发性硬化中的应用

目的 应用三维纤维束成像技术,研究多发性硬化(multiple sclerosis,MS)脱髓鞘斑块引起的白质纤维束的改变. 资料与方法 应用3 T 磁共振对34例MS患者和25名非MS健康志愿者行常规头颅MRI和扩散张量成像(DTI),观察MS病灶处和正常表现脑白质的纤维束变化. 结果 三维纤维束成像可以清楚显示脑内白质纤维束的方向、形态和结构.在MS斑块处可见纤维束中断、病灶远端纤维束缺失或稀少.病灶周围的纤维束表现为受压、推移改变.与相同年龄段的正常人对照,MS患者的正常表现胼胝体内纤维束稀少. 结论 基于DTI技术的纤维束成像能够直观地显示脑内白质纤维束,反映病变对纤维造成的影响.     

急性兔脑缺血模型MR扩散张量成像的实验研究

目的探讨实验性急性兔脑缺血磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)改变。材料与方法建立兔急性脑缺血模型,常规行T2WI、DWI、DTI检查,测量比较缺血灶和正常对照侧的平均扩散系数(ADC)值、各向异性分数(FA)值,分析彩色FA图和脑白质纤维束示踪图。结果通过比较缺血灶与正常对照侧ADC值和FA值,两者的差别有统计学意义,且病灶侧明显减低。脑白质纤维束示踪图显示病灶白质束表现为缺失、断离、稀疏,邻近白质纤维束受压。结论DTI不仅可以准确评价急性期脑缺血的灰质、白质内水分子扩散各向异性改变的特点,并且脑白质纤维束示踪图可以清楚地显示出病灶远端神经束走向改变及其完整性。本实验通过研究兔急性脑缺血模型的DTI特点,为脑缺血性疾病的研究提供了可靠的动物模型和实验理论依据。     

颈髓白质纤维束磁共振扩散张量成像的初步研究

目的:利用磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)研究正常成人颈髓的各向异性程度,探讨颈髓白质纤维束成像的可能性和应用价值。方法:使用单次激发自旋回波平面回波(SE-EPI)序列对14例MR检查正常的健康志愿者行颈髓弥散张量成像检查。重建FA图,在颈髓各节段分别测量FA值。利用日本东京大学Masutani开发的DTVⅡ和VolumeOne纤维束示踪成像软件进行白质纤维束成像。结果:颈髓平均FA值0.6583±0.0737,所有FA图上颈髓显示清晰,没有明显图像失真。白质纤维束成像三维显示颈髓大部分主要的纤维束。结论:DTI有效地显示颈髓白质纤维的各向异性特征及白质纤维束的分布和走向,对颈髓疾病的研究提供了新的方法。     

MR扩散张量成像对脑肿瘤的初步应用研究

目的 :评价MR扩散张量成像在脑肿瘤中的应用价值。方法 :搜集经手术及病理证实的脑膜瘤和星形细胞瘤病例共 3 3例 ,行常规MRI、扩散张量成像 (DTI)检查。构建各向异性分数 (FA)图 ,并测量肿瘤及周围白质的FA值。结果 :正常白质纤维在FA图上表现为高信号。在肿瘤存在时 ,周围白质纤维可表现为受推压移位或浸润破坏 ,破坏后FA值降低 ,表现为低信号。这些表现在常规MRI上均未清楚显示。结论 :DTI可清楚显示肿瘤与周围白质纤维的解剖关系 ,指导临床制订手术方案。     

磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)在诊断中枢神经系统疾病中的应用

目的评价磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)在诊断中枢系统疾病中的用途。方法 86例临床证实的中枢神经系统疾病患者包括超急性及急性期脑梗死40例,脑肿瘤32例,脑白质疏松7例,多发性硬化4例,脑中毒3例以及作为正常对照的健康志愿者9例均经常规磁共振序列和DWI、DTI检查,对患侧和健侧大脑白质纤维束感兴趣区各向异性分数(FA)值进行定量分析,获得方向编码彩色(DEC)图和黑白各向异性(FA)图,扩散张量纤维束成像(DTI)显示脑白质纤维束走形方向、损伤、受压、移位等情况。结果健康组不同部位的脑白质的FA值不同,但大脑半球两侧的FA值差异无统计学意义。超急性(发病后小于6 h)脑梗死区白质FA值与对侧相比轻度增高或降低,急性期(发病后6～72 h)脑梗死区白质FA值显著减低,FA图为低信号,健侧脑白质为高信号,均有明显差别。良恶性脑肿瘤FA值仅在瘤周水肿区的比较中有统计学差异,FA图肿瘤实质为稍低信号,中心坏死及周围水肿表现为低信号。脑白质病变和正常对照组感兴趣区测量FA值,病变区FA值降低,两组差异有统计学意义。结论 DTI可无创且清晰地显示白质纤维束走行方向及分布情况,对诊断中枢神经系统病变有重要用途。     

脑的磁共振扩散张量成像及其临床应用

与传统扩散加权MR不同,扩散张量成像(DTI)可以采集6个或更多方向上的水分子的扩散情况,因此能更准确地显示脑白质水分子的各向异性扩散.它是目前惟一能够无创地显示活体白质纤维束的方法,为评价白质纤维束间的联系及其病变开拓了新的前景.从DTI的技术原理以及临床应用方面介绍其应用现状.     

脑的磁共振扩散张量成像及其临床应用

与传统扩散加权MR不同，扩散张量成像(DTI)可以采集6个或更多方向上的水分子的扩散情况，因此能更准确地显示脑白质水分子的各向异性扩散。它是目前惟一能够无创地显示活体白质纤维束的方法，为评价白质纤维束间的联系及其病变开拓了新的前景。从DTI的技术原理以及临床应用方面介绍其应用现状。     

弥散张量成像对颅脑肿瘤与相邻脑白质纤维束解剖关系的评价

目的:评价弥散张量成像技术显示颅脑肿瘤与相邻脑白质纤维束解剖关系的价值。材料和方法:对5例正常志愿者及29例幕上星形细胞瘤及脑膜瘤进行弥散张量成像,在弥散各向异性图、彩色张量图及脑白质纤维束图上分析肿瘤与相邻脑白质纤维束的解剖关系,并对患者术前、术后的临床症状进行评价。结果:(1)9例脑膜瘤及11例Ⅰ-Ⅱ级星形细胞瘤推移相邻脑白质纤维束,患者术后临床症状明显改善。(2)6例Ⅲ-Ⅳ级星形细胞瘤及3例Ⅰ-Ⅱ级星形细胞瘤浸润、破坏相邻脑白质纤维束,患者术后的临床症状未明显改善。结论:弥散张量成像技术在显示颅脑肿瘤与相邻脑内主要白质纤维束的解剖关系方面具有重要价值,对神经外科术前治疗方案的确定具有重要指导作用。     

White matter tract visualization using properties of termination coordinate eigenmaps

We present a fast and informative technique for determining colors that differentiate white matter pathways generated by deterministic diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) based on streamline termination coordinate (TC) locations in native space. In particular, terminations coordinates are mapped to a standard stereotactic space and colors are generated using a fast eigenmapping approach designed to provide a single eigenvector representing both TCs. This eigenvector is then colored by mapping the vector x‐coordinate to the red channel, the y‐coordinate to the green channel, and the z‐coordinate to the blue channel. This visualization technique generates a TC color (TCC) map and represents a novel technique for white matter anatomical visualization that does not require explicit white matter pathway segmentation. TCC maps of the pons, cerebral peduncle, thalamus, arcuate fasciculus, and corpus callosum are demonstrated and shown to correspond well with known white matter anatomy. Furthermore, TCC maps are consistent between subjects and may be modulated by the eigenvalue of the TCC map or streamline length to provide additional visual contrast. Finally, these color maps may be generated from deterministic or probabilistic tractography data that are computed from either diffusion tensor or high angular resolution diffusion‐weighted MRI acquisitions. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fiber tract-based atlas of human white matter anatomy

Two- and three-dimensional (3D) white matter atlases were created on the basis of high-spatial-resolution diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and 3D tract reconstruction. The 3D trajectories of 17 prominent white matter tracts could be reconstructed and depicted. Tracts were superimposed on coregistered anatomic MR images to parcel the white matter. These parcellation maps were then compared with coregistered diffusion tensor imaging color maps to assign visible structures. The results showed (a). which anatomic structures can be identified on diffusion tensor images and (b). where these anatomic units are located at each section level and orientation. The atlas may prove useful for educational and clinical purposes.     

婴幼儿发育迟缓的脑磁共振扩散张量成像研究

目的应用磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)研究发育迟缓婴幼儿脑白质的各向异性(FA)值,探讨其与正常婴幼儿脑白质有无差异。资料与方法对40例发育迟缓和40例正常婴幼儿进行了常规MRI及DTI扫描,并以常规MRI表现将发育迟缓组分为常规MRI表现正常和常规MRI表现脑白质发育迟缓。分别测量5个深部脑白质与4个浅部脑白质的FA值,并对结果进行统计学比较。结果发育迟缓组各测量部位FA值低于对照组,除内囊后肢外差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。发育迟缓常规MRI表现正常患儿深部脑白质FA值低于正常组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);浅部脑白质FA值低于正常组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);发育迟缓常规MRI表现发育迟缓脑白质FA值均低于正常组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论应用DTI FA值的测量能定量诊断婴幼儿脑白质发育迟缓,尤其常规MRI正常的发育迟缓患儿浅部脑白质FA值低于对照组,可明确诊断发育迟缓。     

Diffusion tensor eigenvector directional color imaging patterns in the evaluation of cerebral white matter tracts altered by tumor

PURPOSE: To categorize the varied appearances of tumor-altered white matter (WM) tracts on diffusion tensor eigenvector directional color maps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was obtained preoperatively in 13 patients with brain tumors ranging from benign to high-grade malignant, including primary and metastatic lesions, and maps of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), and major eigenvector direction were generated. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn within identifiable WM tracts affected by tumor, avoiding grossly cystic and necrotic regions, known fiber crossings, and gray matter. Patterns of WM tract alteration were categorized on the basis of qualitative analysis of directional color maps and correlation analysis of ADC and FA. RESULTS: Four basic patterns of WM alteration were identified: 1) normal or nearly normal FA and ADC, with abnormal tract location or tensor directions attributable to bulk mass displacement, 2) moderately decreased FA and increased ADC with normal tract locations and tensor directions, 3) moderately decreased FA and increased ADC with abnormal tensor directions, and 4) near isotropy. FA and ADC were inversely correlated for Patterns 1-3 but did not discriminate edema from infiltrating tumor. However, in the absence of mass displacement, infiltrating tumor was found to produce tensor directional changes that were not observed with vasogenic edema, suggesting the possibility of discrimination on the basis of directional statistics. CONCLUSION: Tumor alteration of WM tracts tends to produce one of four patterns on FA and directional color maps. Clinical application of these patterns must await further study.     

Tissue signature characterisation of diffusion tensor abnormalities in cerebral gliomas

The inherent invasiveness of malignant cells is a major determinant of the poor prognosis of cerebral gliomas. Diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) can identify white matter abnormalities in gliomas that are not seen on conventional imaging. By breaking down DTI into its isotropic (p) and anisotropic (q) components, we can determine tissue diffusion signatures. In this study we have characterised these abnormalities in peritumoural white matter tracts. Thirty-five patients with cerebral gliomas and seven normal volunteers were imaged with DTI and T2-weighted sequences at 3 T. Displaced, infiltrated and disrupted white matter tracts were identified using fractional anisotropy (FA) maps and directionally encoded colour maps and characterised using tissue signatures. The diffusion tissue signatures were normal in ROIs where the white matter was displaced. Infiltrated white matter was characterised by an increase in the isotropic component of the tensor (p) and a less marked reduction of the anisotropic component (q). In disrupted white matter tracts, there was a marked reduction in q and increase in p. The direction of water diffusion was grossly abnormal in these cases. Diffusion tissue signatures may be a useful method of assessing occult white matter infiltration.     

正常成人大脑白质纤维磁共振弥散张量成像的定量研究

目的:运用弥散张量成像(DTI)定量研究正常成人脑白质不同解剖部位的各向异性特点.方法:对60名正常成人按年龄分成四组,均行DTI检查,分析其表面弥散系数(ADC)图及各向异性分数(FA)图的特点,并对不同解剖部位的脑白质进行ADC值及FA值的定量分析,通过统计学分析得出其弥散系数和各向异性特点.结果:不同年龄组间相同解剖部位脑白质ADC值及FA值的差异无统计学意义;不同解剖部位间FA值及ADC值的差异具有显著性.结论:DTI可清晰显示脑内白质的走行及方向,FA能准确定量分析正常成人不同部位脑白质纤维的各向异性程度.     

Color schemes to represent the orientation of anisotropic tissues from diffusion tensor data: application to white matter fiber tract mapping in the human brain.

This paper investigates the use of color to represent the directional information contained in the diffusion tensor. Ideally, one wants to take into account both the properties of human color vision and of the given display hardware to produce a representation in which differences in the orientation of anisotropic structures are proportional to the perceived differences in color. It is argued here that such a goal cannot be achieved in general and therefore, empirical or heuristic schemes, which avoid some of the common artifacts of previously proposed approaches, are implemented. Directionally encoded color (DEC) maps of the human brain obtained using these schemes clearly show the main association, projection, and commissural white matter pathways. In the brainstem, motor and sensory pathways are easily identified and can be differentiated from the transverse pontine fibers and the cerebellar peduncles. DEC maps obtained from diffusion tensor imaging data provide a simple and effective way to visualize fiber direction, useful for investigating the structural anatomy of different organs. Magn Reson Med 42:526-540, 1999.     

Effects of diffusion anisotropy on lesion delineation in a rat model of cerebral ischemia

The effects of white and gray matter diffusion anisotropy on ischemic lesion delineation have been studied in the rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps obtained by conventional pulsed gradient spin echo diffusion-weighted imaging (PGSE-DWI) were compared with maps of the trace of the diffusion tensor in both normal and occluded animals. Diffusion tensor trace maps were derived from the average of the ADC maps from three separate experiments with diffusion weighting along three orthogonal axes, and also from a single-scan method. A marked degree of diffusion anisotropy was observed in both cortical gray matter and white matter from ADC maps of the control animals. In the occluded animals, the systematic effects of anisotropy on ADC and lesion area influenced the delineation of the ischemic territory in the PGSE-DWI ADC maps. However, the two trace methods eliminated these effects and gave consistent ischemic lesion depiction, despite the use of differing diffusion times in the two measurements.     

Quantitative analysis of diffusion tensor orientation: theoretical framework.

Diffusion-tensor MRI (DT-MRI) yields information about the magnitude, anisotropy, and orientation of water diffusion of brain tissues. Although white matter tractography and eigenvector color maps provide visually appealing displays of white matter tract organization, they do not easily lend themselves to quantitative and statistical analysis. In this study, a set of visual and quantitative tools for the investigation of tensor orientations in the human brain was developed. Visual tools included rose diagrams, which are spherical coordinate histograms of the major eigenvector directions, and 3D scatterplots of the major eigenvector angles. A scatter matrix of major eigenvector directions was used to describe the distribution of major eigenvectors in a defined anatomic region. A measure of eigenvector dispersion was developed to describe the degree of eigenvector coherence in the selected region. These tools were used to evaluate directional organization and the interhemispheric symmetry of DT-MRI data in five healthy human brains and two patients with infiltrative diseases of the white matter tracts. In normal anatomical white matter tracts, a high degree of directional coherence and interhemispheric symmetry was observed. The infiltrative diseases appeared to alter the eigenvector properties of affected white matter tracts, showing decreased eigenvector coherence and interhemispheric symmetry. This novel approach distills the rich, 3D information available from the diffusion tensor into a form that lends itself to quantitative analysis and statistical hypothesis testing.     

Evaluation of white matter anisotropy in Krabbe disease with diffusion tensor MR imaging: initial experience

PURPOSE: To compare diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging with conventional T2-weighted imaging for evaluation of white matter changes in patients with Krabbe disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In eight patients with Krabbe disease and eight age-matched control subjects, anisotropy maps were generated with diffusion tensor data by using echo-planar imaging with diffusion gradient encoding in six directions. Anisotropy maps and T2-weighted images were visually inspected. Relative anisotropy (RA) and normalized T2-weighted signal intensity in white matter tracts and gray matter nuclei were quantitatively compared between patients and controls (paired Student t test). RESULTS: Loss of diffusion anisotropy appeared on anisotropy maps as areas of decreased hyperintensity in patients with Krabbe disease. Differences in RA between Krabbe disease patients and control subjects were significant in eight of nine white matter structures studied (P =.001-.01) and in basal ganglia (P =.04). T2-weighted signal intensity was also significantly different in the same white matter structures (P =.006-.049) but not in basal ganglia. In the three patients imaged after stem cell transplantation, mean RA was between the RAs of untreated patients and control subjects. CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor-derived anisotropy maps (a) provide a quantitative measure of abnormal white matter in patients with Krabbe disease, (b) are more sensitive than T2-weighted images for detecting white matter abnormality, and (c) may be a marker of treatment response.