MR diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking in inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord.
PURPOSE: Our aim was to study the fractional anisotropy (FA) variations and the fiber tracking (FT) patterns observed in patients with myelitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with symptomatic myelitis and 11 healthy subjects were prospectively selected. We performed T2-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging on a 1.5T MR scanner. FA and apparent diffusion coefficient maps were computed in both healthy subjects and patients. In each patient, we performed FT to study pathologic aspects on this imaging method. FA data were analyzed by using z-scores. RESULTS: For the healthy subjects, averaged FA values ranged from 0.745 to 0.751. All abnormal areas seen on T2-weighted imaging had a significantly decreased FA value. In 9 patients (60%), FA maps showed decreased FA areas, whereas T2-weighted imaging findings were normal. These areas matched the neurologic deficit in 33%. Eighty percent of patients had multiple decreased FA areas. Five patients (33%) had increased FA values in normal T2-weighted areas. CONCLUSION: We observed specific FA and FT pattern variations in patients with myelitis.