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。     

MRI及MR扩散张量成像对肌萎缩侧索硬化症的初步评价

目的　描述肌萎缩侧索硬化症 (ALS)的脑部MR影像学表现特点 ,探讨常规MR成像及MR扩散张量成像 (DTI)部分各向异性 (FA)值在本病诊断中的价值。方法　对 14例临床确诊的ALS患者和 12例正常人行MR扫描 ,其中 2例患者行增强扫描。对 10例患者及 12例正常人行DTI横轴面和冠状面扫描 ,使用自旋回波 回波平面成像 (SE EPI)序列 ,b值为 10 0 0s/mm2 ,扩散敏感梯度方向为 2 5。为定量评价锥体束 ,在内囊后肢和中脑大脑脚水平测量双侧锥体束的FA值并做统计学处理。结果　 6例患者双侧内囊后肢呈局限性T1WI略低信号及T2 WI高信号 (高于皮层信号 ) ,冠状面T2 WI可明确显示内囊后肢至大脑脚纵向连续的带状高信号影 ,符合锥体束走行 ;8例患者双侧内囊后肢呈局限性T1WI略低信号及T2 WI略高信号 (与皮层信号相等 )。 2例行增强扫描者均未见异常对比增强。 12例正常人双侧内囊后肢均呈局限性T1WI略低信号及T2 WI略高信号 (与皮层信号相等 )。病变组FA值在内囊后肢水平和中脑大脑脚水平均明显低于对照组FA值 (F =7.38,P <0 .0 1;F =7.31,P =0 .0 1)。结论　常规MR成像诊断ALS时须结合临床资料。ALS患者锥体束区域FA值的下降提示存在神经元变性及继发性脱髓鞘 ,DTI可以在活体无创性地对锥体束及其潜在病变进行检测和评价     

偏头痛患者磁共振弥散张量成像的初步探讨

 目的探讨偏头痛患者磁共振弥散张量中脑白质损害。方法对17例偏头痛患者和16名健康志愿者,进行磁共振弥散张量成像(diffusiontensorimaging,DTI)检查。分别测定两组受试者的双侧额叶皮层下白质、双侧侧脑室旁周围白质和双侧枕叶皮层下白质中感兴趣区(regionofinterests,ROIs)的“看似正常的白质”(normalappearingwhitematter,NAWM)表观扩散系数(apparentdiffusioncoefficient,ADC)和各向异性分数(fractionalanisotropy,FA),对两组数据进行比较分析。结果偏头痛组双侧侧脑室旁周围白质ADC值较对照组明显增高(P<0.05),双侧枕叶皮层下白质各向FA值较对照组明显降低(P<0.01)。结论DTI有助于早期发现偏头痛患者的脑白质损害。     

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.     

婴幼儿脑白质发育的弥散张量磁共振成像

目的：应用弥散张量成像分析不同年龄段婴幼儿的不同部位脑白质的各向异性。材料和方法：将26例正常婴幼儿（年龄4d至24个月）分为4组：第一组7例，小于6个月；第二组8例，6—12个月；第三组6例，12—18个月；第四组5例，18—24个月。均进行常规头颅MR和弥散张量成像，并测量不同部位脑白质的FA值和ADC值。结果：随着年龄的增加，ADC值逐渐减低，FA值逐渐升高。不同组别大脑白质各部位的ADC值和FA值不同（P〈0．05）。结论：弥散张量成像可以反映活体脑白质的细微结构，可用于评价脑白质发育情况。     

颞叶癫痫患者的颞叶以外白质MR扩散张量成像研究

目的 应用MR扩散张量成像(DTI)探讨颞叶癫痫(TLE)患者的颞叶以外白质是否存在隐匿性损伤,并研究这些白质结构的DTI参数值与患者初次发病年龄及病程长短的相关性.资料与方法 对临床确诊的42例发作间期TLE患者和32名健康志愿者行常规MRI和DTI检查,定量测量胼胝体膝部、体部、压部、内囊前肢、后肢及外囊的平均扩散系数(Dcavg)和部分各向异性(FA)值并进行统计学分析.结果 TLE患者胼胝体压部、内囊后肢及外囊的Dcavg值显著高于正常人(P<0.01),胼胝体膝部、压部、内囊前肢及外囊的FA值显著低于正常人(P<0.05).TLE患者内囊后肢Dcavg值与病程长短呈正相关.结论 TLE患者的颞叶以外白质存在隐匿性损伤,内囊后肢的损伤程度与病程长短有关.     

慢性高原病的脑磁共振弥散张量成像研究

目的：应用3.0T磁共振弥散张量成像（diffusion tensor imaging,DTI）技术,评价慢性高原病患者脑白质的各向异性分数（fractional anisotrophy,FA）。方法：本研究共包括9例慢性高原病患者和10例正常志愿者,行常规MRI扫描及DTI扫描,测定DTI图像上不同脑白质区的FA值,并比较两组FA值的差异。结果：两组常规MR检查未见明确差异,DTI示慢性高原病组双侧额叶及海马旁白质、胼胝体膝部FA值较正常志愿者组降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：慢性高原病患者部分脑白质区FA值下降,提示脑白质纤维束完整性受损。     

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。     

磁共振弥散张量成像对鉴别星形细胞肿瘤恶性程度的应用价值

目的:研究磁共振弥散张量成像对于鉴别低度恶性星形细胞肿瘤和高度恶性星形细胞肿瘤的价值.方法:对45例术前怀疑为星形细胞肿瘤患者进行了常规MRI及DTI检查.其中19例为低度恶性肿瘤(相当于WHO分级的Ⅰ或Ⅱ级),26例为高度恶性肿瘤(WHO分级的Ⅲ或Ⅳ级).分别测量肿瘤实质部分的FA值和对侧正常额叶白质或枕叶白质的FA值.将肿瘤实质部分的FA值与正常对侧白质的FA值比较;比较低度恶性星形细胞肿瘤和高度恶性星形细胞肿瘤FA值的差异.结果:正常额叶或枕叶白质的FA值为0.40±0.02.星形细胞肿瘤的FA值低于正常枕叶和额叶白质的FA值;低度恶性星形细胞肿瘤的FA值(0.16±0.02)低于高度恶性肿瘤的FA值(0.23±0.02).上述差别均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:星形细胞肿瘤的FA值较正常脑白质降低,低度恶性肿瘤的FA值低于高度恶性肿瘤的FA值.FA值在一定程度上反映了肿瘤组织的结构特点.磁共振弥散张量成像对于鉴别低度恶性星形细胞肿瘤和高度恶性肿瘤具有一定的意义,对于一些不典型病例可以考虑应用DTI鉴别星形细胞肿瘤的恶性程度.     

扩散张量成像在颅内肿瘤周围白质区的应用

目的：评价MR扩散张量成像技术在不同级别胶质瘤、脑膜瘤及转移瘤周围正常脑白质区的应用价值。方法：对43例颅内肿瘤患者行常规MRI及扩散张量成像检查,其中高级别胶质瘤12例,低级别胶质瘤10例,脑膜瘤12例、转移瘤9例。测量瘤周正常脑白质的FA值及对侧相应解剖部位正常脑白质的FA值,行组间统计学分析。结果：高级别胶质瘤瘤周正常脑白质FA值低于对侧正常脑白质FA值,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;低级别胶质瘤、脑膜瘤及转移瘤FA值的差异无统计学意义。高级别胶质瘤瘤周正常脑白质FA值与低级别胶质瘤、脑膜瘤、转移瘤瘤周正常脑白质之间差异有统计学意义,后三者之间的差异比较无统计学意义。结论：MR扩散张量成像技术有助于颅内肿瘤的定性诊断及推测肿瘤细胞的浸润范围。     

Peroxisomal biogenesis disorder: comparison of conventional MR imaging with diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor imaging findings

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBDs) refer to a group of disorders of peroxisomal biogenesis causing neuronal migration disorder, delayed myelination, and demyelination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) compared with that of conventional T2-weighted imaging in assessing the extent of white matter damage in patients with PBDs. METHODS: Three patients (aged 12, 16, and 80 months) with PBD (type 1 protein targeting sequence [PTS1]) and three age-matched control subjects underwent MR imaging on a 1.5-T system. The protocol included axial T2-weighted, DWI, and DTI sequences. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) changes were calculated using regions of interest at several predefined white matter areas and compared with those of age-matched control subjects. Color-coded maps were obtained to visualize the range of FA values. RESULTS: On the T2-weighted images, one patient revealed severe hypomyelination throughout the brain; the two other patients showed focal abnormal high-signal-intensity areas. All patients had significantly decreased FA values in white matter areas that appeared abnormal on the T2-weighted images. In two of the three patients, significant FA reduction was also found in normal-appearing white matter. The ADC values of the patients were significantly increased compared with those of the age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: Although based on a small number of patients, our data suggest that DWI and DTI can be used to characterize and quantify white matter tract injury in patients with PBD-PTS1. Furthermore, our data suggest that these techniques have the potential to identify neurodegenerative changes not yet visible on T2-weighted images.     

Diffusion tensor imaging of tract involvement in children with pontine tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Conventional MR imaging permits subcategorization of brain stem tumors by location and focality; however, assessment of white matter tract involvement by tumor is limited. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising method for visualizing white matter tract tumor involvement supratentorially. We investigated the ability of DTI to visualize and quantify white matter tract involvement in pontine tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: DTI data (echo-planar, 1.5T) were retrospectively analyzed in 7 patients with pontine tumors (6 diffuse, 1 focal), 4 patient controls, and 5 normal volunteers. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated from the diffusion tensor in 6 regions of interest: bilateral corticospinal tracts, transverse pontine fibers, and medial lemnisci. Relationships between FA and ADC values and results of the neurologic examinations were evaluated. RESULTS: The corticospinal tracts and transverse pontine fibers were affected more often than the medial lemnisci. The DTI parameters (FA and ADC) were significantly altered in all tracts of patients with pontine tumors (P < .05), compared with those values in the control groups. A marginally significant (P = .057) association was seen between the severity of cranial nerve deficit and decreased FA. CONCLUSION: DTI provided superior visualization and quantification of tumor involvement in motor, sensory, and transverse pontine tracts, compared with information provided by conventional MR imaging. Thus, DTI may be a sensitive measure of tract invasion. Further prospective studies are warranted to assess the ability of DTI to delineate tumor focality and improve risk stratification in children with pontine tumors.     

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。     

阿尔茨海默病患者脑白质束铁沉积的磁共振相位成像

目的：利用磁共振相位成像和扩散张量成像(DTI)技术,探讨阿尔茨海默病(AD)患者的脑白质束损伤与相应白质束铁沉积的相关性。方法：对25例AD患者及20例年龄相匹配的健康老年志愿者进行MR扩散张量成像及相位成像。DTI数据经后处理生成平均扩散系数(MD)和部分各向异性(FA)图,分别测量穹窿、胼胝体膝部、胼胝体压部、双...     

Proton MR spectroscopic and diffusion tensor brain MR imaging in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: initial experience

PURPOSE: To compare conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, proton MR spectroscopic imaging, and diffusion tensor (DT) MR imaging findings in patients with X chromosome-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multisection proton MR spectroscopy and DT imaging were performed in 11 patients with X-ALD and in 11 healthy control subjects. Quantitative measures of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline, and creatine values and of isotropic apparent diffusion coefficient (IADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were obtained from coregistered regions of interest. DT imaging and metabolic parameters were compared by using regression analysis. In addition, differences in DT imaging and metabolite measurements between normal- and abnormal-appearing white matter on conventional MR images were evaluated by using a nonparametric (Mann-Whitney) test. RESULTS: A strong logarithmic relationship between NAA value and FA (r = 0.64, P <.001) and an inverse logarithmic relationship were found between NAA value and IADC (r = -0.69, P <.001). Creatine and choline values correlated poorly with IADC and FA. In the normal-appearing white matter of asymptomatic patients, the NAA value was 17% lower than that in the healthy control subjects (P =.016), whereas no significant difference in DT imaging measures was seen in these regions. CONCLUSION: In patients with X-ALD, MR spectroscopic imaging can depict abnormalities in white matter that have a normal appearance on both conventional MR and DT images; this finding suggests that it may be the most sensitive technique for detecting early abnormalities of demyelination or axonal loss in patients with X-ALD.     

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。     

脑星形胶质细胞瘤周围区域的磁共振DTI研究

目的：采用扩散张量成像（DTI）技术研究脑星形胶质细胞瘤周围区域的细微结构改变,探讨其确定肿瘤边界的价值。方法：将28例经手术病理证实的星形胶质细胞瘤患者分为低度恶性星形细胞瘤和恶性胶质瘤两组。利用DTI检测肿瘤区、肿瘤周围区和健侧脑组织区,计算各向异性（FA）和平均扩散系数（ADC）及脑白质纤维束的情况。结果：28例星形胶质细胞瘤的3个不同区域DTI数值有显著性差异。周围区域DTI各值的均数在低度恶性和恶性胶质瘤之间进行比较,ADC、FA值的差异均有统计学意义。FA图显示低度恶性星形胶质细胞瘤多以推移周围邻近白质为主,与邻近白质边界清楚,而恶性胶质瘤组则以破坏与浸润白质束为主,边界相对模糊。结论：应用DTI成像可能对确定星形胶质细胞瘤的边界具有一定的临床意义。     

Unraveling pathology in juvenile Alexander disease: serial quantitative MR imaging and spectroscopy of white matter

Introduction

Alexander disease is a rare disorder of the central nervous system with characteristic symmetric white matter abnormalities with frontal predominance on magnetic resonance (MR) images. Histopathology shows a lack of myelin in the affected white matter, variably interpreted as hypomyelination or demyelination. To increase our insight into the nature of the pathology leading to the MR imaging findings in Alexander disease, we applied serial MR imaging, spectroscopy, magnetization transfer (MT) imaging (MTI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in six patients with juvenile Alexander disease.

Methods

The MR imaging protocol comprised T1- and T2-weighted spin echo images and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and MT ratio (MTR) maps were generated, and MR spectroscopy concentrations were quantified for several metabolites.

Results

MR imaging showed similar cerebral white matter abnormalities in all patients, with only minor increase on prolonged follow-up, despite sometimes serious clinical progression. MR spectroscopy showed highly elevated levels of myo-inositol, lactate, and choline-containing compounds and decreased total N-acetyl-aspartate and N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate levels in the abnormal white matter. High values of ADC were observed, and both FA and MTR were attenuated.

Conclusion

The sequential MR imaging findings in Alexander disease provide strong evidence against active demyelination as sole explanation for the underlying pathology. An alternative explanation for our spectroscopic, DTI, and MTI findings—which would suggest demyelination—could be hyperplasia and hypertrophy of astrocytes, as seen in low grade gliomas.