磁共振扩散张量成像对正常人脑结构的显示及各向异性研究

目的 探讨不同脑组织结构在扩散张量成像（DTI）中的信号特点及各向异性。资料与方法 对20名正常人行DTI,分析其平均扩散系数（ADC）图及部分各向异性（FA）图的特点,并对不同感兴趣区（ROI）进行ADC及FA值的测量,通过统计学分析得出其扩散和各向异性特点。结果男女之间比较,同一部位的ADC及FA值差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,对称结构而言,左右侧的ADC或FA值相比差异也无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。ADC图上脑脊液呈明显的高信号,而其余脑组织呈不同程度的较低信号,且信号差别不大。侧脑室体部内的脑脊液与其他ROIADC值相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,而其余ROI之间的ADC值则无差异（P〉0．05）。FA图可以清晰反映脑白质纤维,呈明显的高信号。不同白质纤维的FA值不一致,胼胝体压部的FA值最大,并与胼胝体膝部差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。与其他测量结构差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。脑白质的各向异性按胼胝体、内囊、半卵圆中心、外囊逐渐降低。侧脑室体部内脑脊液的FA值最低。结论 不同部位脑组织的各向异性及信号不同。ADC图主要体现脑脊液与其他脑组织的差异,而FA图可以清晰显示脑内的白质纤维,并能定量反映不同部位各向异性的特征。     

青年抑郁症患者胼胝体MR扩散张量成像研究

目的 研究青年抑郁症患者胼胝体可能存在的细微结构异常。资料与方法 对54例青年抑郁症患者（抑郁症组）和38名年龄和性别匹配的正常志愿者（对照组）进行扩散张量成像（DTI）检查,测量胼胝体膝部、体部和压部的表观扩散系数（ADC）值和各向异性分数（FA）,并对两组进行对比分析。结果 抑郁症组患者胼胝体膝部和体部的ADC值明显高于正常对照组,FA值明显低于对照组,P值均〈0．01;胼胝体压部的ADC值和FA值在两组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。抑郁症组内ADC、FA值的性别差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论 青年抑郁症患者胼胝体膝部和体部白质纤维束可能存在细微结构的改变。     

应用扩散张量成像对正常儿童脑白质发育的初步研究

目的 应用扩散张量成像（DTI）分析不同年龄段、不同部位脑白质的各向异性，研究正常儿童脑白质的成熟规律。方法 将89例正常儿童（年龄2d至18岁）分为7组，〈6个月为第1组8例，6个月至1岁为第2组8例，1～3岁为第3组12例，3～5岁为第4组15例，5～8岁为第5组20例，8～12岁为第6组11例，12～18岁为第7组15例。分别行头部扩散张量成像，在各项异性分数（FA）图上测量不同脑区的各向异性，并对所测数据进行统计分析。结果 （1）不同部位FA值明显不同，胼胝体最高，灰质最低，且随组别数降低，FA值减低；（2）胼胝体、额、顶叶白质、半卵圆中心的FA值在第1、2组及第2、3组间差异有统计学意义，内囊前肢、枕叶放射的FA值在第2、3组，第3、4组及第4、5组间差异有统计学意义，F值均〉5．34，P〈0．05；（3）儿童脑白质各向异性随年龄增加而增加，FA值与年龄呈指数正相关，胼胝体、内囊、顶、枕、额叶白质及小脑中脚的相关系数均〉／0．5，P〈0．01。结论 扩散张量成像可反映活体脑白质细微的结构，可用于评价儿童脑发育情况。     

不同b值和扩散张量成像导出量的定量关系研究

目的　探索不同b值和扩散张量成像参数的定量关系。方法　对 12例正常成人进行扩散张量磁共振扫描 ,测量多个灰白质感兴趣区的表观扩散系数 (ADC)、指数表观扩散系数 (EADC)、最大特征值、各向异性比率 (FA)、各向异性指数 (AI)和相对各向异性 (RA)等参数 ,分析这些参数随着b值的变化趋势。结果　FA和RA的平均值、中位数、标准差以及变异系数都不随b值变化 (P >0 5 ) ;而ADC、EADC及最大特征值受b值的影响 (P <0 0 1) ,随b值的增加而降低 ;AI的平均值、中位数、标准差及变异系数在不同被试者间差异存在显著性意义 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　b值确实影响多个扩散张量成像的导出量。在临床应用中当比较不同被试者 ,或者不同组织结构时 ,应尽量选择同样的成像参数 ,特别是b值 ,同时选择不受b值影响的参数 ,如FA和RA。     

兔VX2软组织肿瘤模型的建立及扩散张量成像研究初探

目的:建立恶性软组织肿瘤动物模型并初步探讨扩散张量成像(DTI)诊断软组织肿瘤的可行性及价值。方法:20只新西兰大白兔,右侧大腿近段注射VX2肿瘤组织悬液0．2 ml,于肿瘤组织接种后第40天行MRI常规扫描和 DTI成像,扫描图像经AW 4．0工作站处理,计算并分析肿瘤实质区、坏死区、肿瘤周边区、肿瘤邻近正常肌肉及对侧正常肌肉的平均ADC值、部分各向异性值(FA)、各向同性值(Iso)和体积与各向异性比值(VrA)。结果:所有兔大腿肌肉VX2 肿瘤模型均成功建立。肿瘤实质区与肿瘤坏死区、肿瘤周边区、邻近及对侧正常肌肉的FA值相比,差异均有极显著性意义(P<0．01)。肿瘤实质区与肿瘤坏死区、邻近及对侧正常肌肉的平均ADC值和VrA值差异有极显著性意义(P<0．01), 与瘤周区差异无显著性意义(P>0．05)。肿瘤邻近正常肌肉与对侧正常肌肉各参数值差异无显著性意义(P>0．05)。Iso 值在正常肌肉与不同区域肿瘤组织间差异有显著性意义(P<0．05)。结论:兔VX2软组织肿瘤模型可作为软组织肿瘤 MRI研究的动物模型,扩散张量成像能用于评价软组织肿瘤的内部结构特征及与周围组织的关系,其对良、恶性软组织肿瘤鉴别诊断的价值有待选一步研究。     

采用扩散张量纤维束成像技术研究活体Broca语言功能区及其纤维环路的结构

目的 采用扩散张量成像技术揭示健康人Broea区与其他脑功能区间的纤维联系规律。方法 健康成人20名，采用Siemens Trio 3．0T MR仪及工作站行数据采集和后处理及Broea区（B45和44区）纤维追踪，分析由语言功能区发出的神经纤维分布和走行。结果 BroeaB45区纤维束平均值左侧为428束，右侧相应脑区为416束，两侧差异无统计学意义（t=0．216，P〉0．05）；B44区纤维束平均值左侧为432束，右侧相应脑区为344束，两侧差异有统计学意义（t=2．314，P〈0．05）。B45区部分各向异性左侧平均为0．336，右侧同区为0．317（t=-3．656，P〈0．05）；B44区左侧平均为0．342，右侧同脑区为0．342（t=0．093，P〉0．05）。弓状纤维束平均左侧为199束，右侧为205束（t=-0．465，P〉0．05）；平均部分各向异性左侧为0．385，右侧为0．375（t=1．912，P〈0．05）。Broea区发出纤维走行和分布，主要向前上到额叶前部内侧面皮层下，过胼胝体到对侧相应结构，向外下穿外囊向后经颞叶到枕叶，向内下穿苍白球和内囊后肢向下行。结论 Broea区及其相关的纤维结构形成重要的语言纤维环路结构，结构完整是完成语言功能的基础。     

健康成人视神经MR扩散张量成像研究

目的:探索成人视神经MR扩散张量成像的特点.方法:采用单次激发ZOOM自旋回波平面成像序列,对30例成人健康志愿者的视神经行MR扩散张量成像(DTI)研究.将DTI原始数据输入个人计算机,应用Volume-one1.72软件进行后处理.结果:双侧视神经在部分各向异性图(FA图)呈高信号,在方向编码彩色图(DEC图)为绿色高信号,图像清晰,无明显伪影和扭曲变形,视神经周围脑脊液及眶内脂肪被抑制,呈无信号.本研究初步获得了成人视神经的部分各向异性和平均扩散率的参数值.测得视神经的部分各向异性(FA)值分别为左侧0.595±0.067、右侧0.589±0.066,平均扩散率(MD)值分别为左侧(0.948±0.112)×10-3 mm2/s,右侧(0.932±0.088)×10-3mm2/s,双侧视神经的FA值及MD值差异均无显著性意义(P＞0.05).结论:MR-DTI检测视神经非常敏感.     

磁共振DTI及DTT在脑梗死白质纤维束损伤中的应用

目的：探讨MR扩散张量成像（DTI）及扩散张量纤维束成像（DTT）技术对不同时期脑梗死白质损伤的诊断价值,并观察白质纤维束的受损情况,为脑梗死后患侧肌力恢复治疗提供影像学依据。方法：53例脑梗死患者按不同发病时期分为4组,行常规MRI及DTI检查,对比测量梗死侧与健侧相应部位脑白质的各向异性系数（FA）值,并观察梗死灶白质纤维柬的改变,按照皮质脊髓束（CST）移位、连续性及破坏程度在DTT图像上的表现分为3级。结果：超急性期梗死侧FA值（0．35±0．04）与健侧（0．37±0．06）比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,急性期、亚急性期和慢性期梗死侧FA值分别为0．17±0．07、0．14±0．06和0．09±0．05,分别低于健侧相应部位的FA值（分别为0．39±0．08、0．36±0．08和0．33±0．06）,差异均有显著性意义（P〈0．05）。3组DTT分级比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,患侧肌力改变与皮质脊髓束损伤程度呈正相关（rs=0．76,P〈0．05）,皮质脊髓束损伤程度可以通过重建的扩散张量纤维束成像显示。结论：DTI及DTT技术能较好的评价不同时期脑梗死白质纤维束的损伤程度,对指导临床诊断和帮助判断预后有重要价值。     

3.0T MR扩散张量成像在脑梗死诊断中的应用

目的：探讨3.0T磁共振扩散张量成像（DTI）对脑梗死的诊断价值。方法：对75例不同时期脑梗死患者进行MRI常规检查、扩散加权成像（DWI）及DTI检查,重建平均扩散系数（DCavg）图及部分各向异性（FA）图。以T2WI与DWI图像为参照,测定各期脑梗死灶及对侧正常脑组织的平均DCavg值、平均FA值,并进行统计学处理。结果：与对侧正常脑组织相比,脑梗死平均DCavg值在超急性期及急性期显著减低（P〈0.01）,随着时间延长呈逐渐恢复升高的变化趋势;脑梗死平均FA值在超急性期无一致性变化,与对侧正常脑组织相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,可轻度升高或轻度降低,随着病程进展呈不可恢复持续减低规律。结论：联合DCavg值与FA值可对脑梗死进行更精确的临床分期,有助于及时准确了解脑梗死的病理生理改变,为临床治疗及预后判断提供依据。     

扩散张量成像在视辐射成像中的应用

MR检查中扩散张量成像为研究脑白质纤维束（包括视辐射）的走行提供了可能，介绍各向异性扩散加权磁共振成像与扩散张量成像的原理、白质纤维束成像与功能磁共振成像的结合，探讨其在视辐射中的应用价值。     

Effects of MR Parameter Changes on the Quantification of Diffusion Anisotropy and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Evaluation Using a Diffusional Anisotropic Phantom

Objective

To validate the usefulness of a diffusional anisotropic capillary array phantom and to investigate the effects of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameter changes on diffusion fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) using the phantom.

Materials and Methods

Diffusion tensor imaging of a capillary array phantom was performed with imaging parameter changes, including voxel size, number of sensitivity encoding (SENSE) factor, echo time (TE), number of signal acquisitions, b-value, and number of diffusion gradient directions (NDGD), one-at-a-time in a stepwise-incremental fashion. We repeated the entire series of DTI scans thrice. The coefficients of variation (CoV) were evaluated for FA and ADC, and the correlation between each MR imaging parameter and the corresponding FA and ADC was evaluated using Spearman''s correlation analysis.

Results

The capillary array phantom CoVs of FA and ADC were 7.1% and 2.4%, respectively. There were significant correlations between FA and SENSE factor, TE, b-value, and NDGD, as well as significant correlations between ADC and SENSE factor, TE, and b-value.

Conclusion

A capillary array phantom enables repeated measurements of FA and ADC. Both FA and ADC can vary when certain parameters are changed during diffusion experiments. We suggest that the capillary array phantom can be used for quality control in longitudinal or multicenter clinical studies.     

血管性认知功能损害的全脑DTI直方图分析

目的利用扩散张量成像(DTI)直方图分析,明确血管性认知损害(VCI)患者的脑异常改变及DTI直方图指标与简易智能量表(MMSE)评分的相关性。方法对19例VCI患者和19例健康志愿者行常规MRI和DTI检查,获得全脑平均扩散率(MD)和各向异性分数(FA)图像后,分别绘制出全脑FA和MD直方图并对其进行分析。结果VCI患者的全脑MD和FA直方图与正常志愿者不同。与正常对照比较,VCI患者平均全脑FA直方图示峰位置左移、平均FA值降低(P=0.008),MD直方图右移、平均MD值增高(P=0.026),峰位置增高(P=0.041),峰高降低(P=0.002)。平均FA值(r=-0.486,P=0.036)、FA峰高(r=0.498,P=0.030)和FA峰位置(r=-0.641,P=0.003)与MMSE评分相关。结论VCI的患者存在脑扩散异常,DTI直方图部分指标可以帮助评价认知功能损害的严重程度。     

Diffusion tensor imaging of cerebral white matter in patients with myotonic dystrophy

PURPOSE: To determine whether myotonic dystrophy (MyD) patients have diffusion tensor abnormalities suggestive of microstructural changes in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Conventional and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance images of the brain were obtained in 19 MyD patients and 19 age-matched normal control subjects. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values were calculated in white matter lesions (WMLs) and NAWM in MyD patients and in the white matter of normal control subjects. Differences between WML and NAWM values and between MyD patient and control subject values were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Significantly lower FA and higher MD values were found in all regions of interest in the NAWM of MyD patients than in the white matter of control subjects (P<0.01), as well as significantly lower FA and higher MD values in WMLs than in NAWM of MyD patients (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation of mean FA or MD values in NAWM with patient age, age at onset, or duration of illness (P>0.1). CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor imaging analysis suggests the presence of diffuse microstructural changes in NAWM of MyD patients that may play an important role in the development of disability.     

磁共振弥散张量成像在脑高级别星形细胞瘤和转移瘤瘤周实质区的诊断价值

目的 探讨磁共振弥散张量成像(diffusion tensor imaging,DTI)在高级别星形细胞瘤和单发脑转移瘤诊断中的价值.方法 25例脑高级别星形细胞瘤和16例单发脑转移瘤,术前行DTI扫描,测定瘤周脑实质区及对侧正常脑实质的平均弥散系数(MD)值及各向异性分数(FA)值,并重建白质纤维示踪图,观察病灶与白质纤维束的关系.结果 高级别星形细胞瘤与脑转移瘤瘤周实质区的FA值分别为0.227±0.05、0.169±0.07,两者存在统计学差异(P＜0.05).DTI白质纤维示踪图可以较为准确地反映病灶与白质纤维束的关系.结论瘤周实质区FA值有助于高级别脑星形细胞瘤与转移瘤的鉴别.     

Diffusion tensor imaging of the auditory pathway in sensorineural hearing loss: changes in radial diffusivity and diffusion anisotropy

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures of axial diffusivity (lambda parallel), radial diffusivity (lambda perpendicular), mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA) along the auditory pathway of patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and normal controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 37 individuals with SNHL and 10 healthy controls, two regions of interest (ROIs) positioned along the auditory pathway-the lateral lemniscus (LL) and the inferior colliculus (IC)-were investigated bilaterally using diffusion tensor imaging at 3 T. SNHL patients were divided into three groups: patients with bilateral hearing loss, patients with unilateral hearing loss, and patients with partial hearing loss. DTI measures (lambda parallel, lambda perpendicular, MD, FA) of both ROIs were determined in all subjects. RESULTS: The FA value was reduced and the lambda perpendicular was increased both at the lateral lemniscus and the inferior colliculus of patients with SNHL compared with controls. Similar changes were seen between the ipsilateral and contralateral LL and IC for patients of unilateral profound hearing loss. No changes were observed in any other parameters. CONCLUSION: In SNHL patients DTI showed a high radial diffusivity that consequently led to a decreased fractional anisotropy in the LL and the IC.     

A tracking-based diffusion tensor imaging segmentation method for the detection of diffusion-related changes of the cervical spinal cord with aging

PURPOSE: To compare region of interest (ROI)-based and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT)-based methods for evaluating diffusion properties of the spinal cord as a function of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Commonly, an ROI segmentation is used to delineate the spinal cord. In this work, new segmentation methods are developed based on DTT. In a first, DTT-based, segmentation approach, the diffusion properties are calculated on the tracts. In a second method, the diffusion properties are analyzed in the spinal cord voxels that contain a certain number of tracts. We studied the changes in diffusion properties of the human spinal cord in subjects of different ages. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements of the cervical spinal cord were acquired on 42 healthy volunteers (age range = 19-87 years). The fractional anisotropy (FA), the mean diffusivity (MD), and eigenvalues (lambda(1), lambda(2), and lambda(3)) were compared for the ROI- and DTT-based segmentation methods. RESULTS: Our automatic techniques are shown to be highly reproducible and sensitive for detecting DTI changes. FA decreased (r = -0.38; P < 0.05), whereas MD and eigenvalues increased (r = +/- 0.45; P < 0.05) with age. These trends were not statistically significant for the ROI-based segmentation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: DTT is a robust and reproducible technique to segment the voxels of interest in the spinal cord.     

Diffusion tensor imaging for characterizing white matter changes in multiple sclerosis

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic values of quantitative diffusion tensor imaging parameters in detecting abnormalities in white matter of MS patients and correlate this with lesion load and clinical disability as prognostic factors.

Patients and methods

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed in 45 consecutive MS patients and 20 age-matched healthy control volunteers from March 2011 to November 2013. Mean diffusivity (MD), volume ratio (VR) and the fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and in different types of focal MS lesions during both activity and remission and compared with normal white matter (NWM) of the control group. Evaluation of lesion load was done by the semiautomated method. Clinical assessment of MS was established using the Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and the Kurtzke functional system score.

Results

Significant increase of MD and decrease of FA and VR from normal appearing white matter of the patients to MRI detected active lesions and the least is inactive plaques comparing with NWM of the control group (P value 0.003 for MD, 0.013 for FA, and 0.014 for VR). Correlation and significant difference between {(increase in MD) and (decrease in FA and VR)} and lesion load (strongest in parietal lobes) and also Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and Kurtzke functional system score (KFS-p).

Conclusion

DTI–MRI quantitative parameters are good predictors of tissue damage not only in MRI-defined lesions but also in NAWM as a result of Wallerian degeneration and are helpful as diagnostic and prognostic tools.     

3.0T磁共振扩散张量成像对高级别脑胶质瘤和脑转移瘤的鉴别诊断价值

目的探讨3.0T磁共振扩散张量成像参数中的各向异性分数(FA)值、表观扩散系数(ADC)值对高级别脑胶质瘤和脑转移瘤的鉴别诊断价值。方法分析经手术病理或临床随访证实15例高级别脑胶质瘤和19例脑转移瘤,术前行常规MRI扫描、增强扫描、DWI及DTI扫描,选取感兴趣区(肿瘤囊变区、肿瘤实质区、肿瘤边缘区、瘤周水肿区、肿瘤周围正常脑实质区),分别测量其ADC值及FA值,比较两种肿瘤不同部位ADC值及FA值的差异,采用t检验。结果高级别脑胶质瘤与脑转移瘤的肿瘤实质区(t=4.09,P=0.001)、肿瘤边缘区(t=3.34,P=0.002)的FA值差异显著(P<0.05)。两种肿瘤周围水肿区(t=4.79,P=0.000)的ADC值差异显著(P<0.05)。结论扩散张量成像可以作为高级别脑胶质瘤和脑转移瘤的鉴别诊断方法。     

复发好转型多发性硬化的全脑DTI直方图分析

目的 利用扩散张量成像（DTI）直方图分析,明确复发好转型多发性硬化（RRMS）患者的脑异常改变及DTI直方图指标与扩展残疾状态评分（EDSS）的相关性。资料与方法 对29例RRMS患者和35名正常志愿者行常规MRI和DTI检查,获得全脑平均扩散率（MD）和分数各向异性（FA）图像后,分别计算出全脑MD和FA直方图并对其进行分析。结果 与正常志愿者比较,RRMS患者平均全脑MD直方图右移、峰高降低;平均全脑FA直方图左移、峰高增高。RRMS患者全脑MD和FA直方图指标与正常志愿者相比,均存在显著性差异（P〈0．001）。在RRMS患者,全脑平均MD（r=0．413,P=0．026）,MD直方图峰高（r=-0．424,P=0．022）和FA直方图峰位置（r=-0．594,P=0．001）与EDSS评分具有相关性。结论 RRMS患者存在明显脑扩散异常,部分DTI直方图指标可用于监测疾病进展。