Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Peripheral Nerves: Current Status and New Developments

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2023; 27: 641-648 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1775742Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an emerging technique for peripheral nerve imaging that can provide information about the microstructural organization and connectivity of these nerves and complement the information gained from anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. With DTI it is possible to reconstruct nerve pathways and visualize the three-dimensional trajectory of nerve fibers, as in nerve tractography. More importantly, DTI allows for quantitative evaluation of peripheral nerves by the calculation of several important parameters that offer insight into the functional status of a nerve. Thus DTI has a high potential to add value to the work-up of peripheral nerve pathologies, although it is more technically demanding. Peripheral nerves pose specific challenges to DTI due to their small diameter and DTI's spatial resolution, contrast, location, and inherent field inhomogeneities when imaging certain anatomical locations. Numerous efforts are underway to resolve these technical challenges and thus enable wider acceptance of DTI in peripheral nerve MRI. [...] Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. 333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USAArticle in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

Source: Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology - November 7, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: Yoon, Daehyun Lutz, Amelie M. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research