Original Research

High resolution diffusion tensor imaging of human nerves in forearm

Corresponding Author

Yuxiang Zhou PhD

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

Address reprint requests to: Y.Z., Beaumont Health System, 3601 West Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Ponnada A. Narayana PhD,

Ponnada A. Narayana PhD

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Manickam Kumaravel MD,

Manickam Kumaravel MD

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Parveen Athar MD,

Parveen Athar MD

Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Vipulkumar S. Patel RTMR,

Vipulkumar S. Patel RTMR

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Kazim A. Sheikh MD,

Kazim A. Sheikh MD

Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Yuxiang Zhou PhD,

Corresponding Author

Yuxiang Zhou PhD

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

Address reprint requests to: Y.Z., Beaumont Health System, 3601 West Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Ponnada A. Narayana PhD,

Ponnada A. Narayana PhD

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Manickam Kumaravel MD,

Manickam Kumaravel MD

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Parveen Athar MD,

Parveen Athar MD

Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Vipulkumar S. Patel RTMR,

Vipulkumar S. Patel RTMR

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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Kazim A. Sheikh MD,

Kazim A. Sheikh MD

Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

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First published: 14 November 2013

https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.24300

Citations: 28

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Abstract

Purpose

To implement high resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for visualization and quantification of peripheral nerves in human forearm.

Materials and Methods

This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by our Institutional Review Board and written informed consent was obtained from all the study participants. Images were acquired with T₁-and T₂-weighted turbo spin echo with/without fat saturation, short tau inversion recovery (STIR). In addition, high spatial resolution (1.0 × 1.0 × 3.0 mm³) DTI sequence was optimized for clearly visualizing ulnar, superficial radial and median nerves in the forearm. Maps of the DTI derived indices, fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), longitudinal diffusivity (λ_//) and radial diffusivity (λ_⊥) were generated.

Results

For the first time, the three peripheral nerves, ulnar, superficial radial, and median, were visualized unequivocally on high resolution DTI-derived maps. DTI delineated the forearm nerves more clearly than other sequences. Significant differences in the DTI-derived measures, FA, MD, λ_// and λ_⊥, were observed among the three nerves. A strong correlation between the nerve size derived from FA map and T₂-weighted images was observed.

Conclusion

High spatial resolution DTI is superior in identifying and quantifying the median, ulnar, and superficial radial nerves in human forearm. Consistent visualization of small nerves and nerve branches is possible with high spatial resolution DTI. These normative data could potentially help in identifying pathology in diseased nerves. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:1374–1383. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Volume39, Issue6

June 2014

Pages 1374-1383

High resolution diffusion tensor imaging of human nerves in forearm

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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High resolution diffusion tensor imaging of human nerves in forearm

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