A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Diffusion tensor tractography of the uncinate fasciculus: Pitfalls in quantitative analysis due to traumatic volume changes
Authors: Kurki TJI, Laalo JP, Oksaranta OM
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Publishing place: HOBOKEN; 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA
Publication year: 2013
Journal: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Journal name in source: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Journal acronym: J.Magn.Reson.Imaging
Number in series: 1
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
First page : 46
Last page: 53
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 1053-1807
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.23901
Abstract
Purpose: To demonstrate the sensitivity of quantitative diffusion tensor tractography to traumatic injury of the uncinate fasciculus (UF), and to evaluate the effect of volume changes on the accuracy of quantitative analysis. Materials and Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed at 3 T for 110 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 60 control subjects. Volume, mean diffusivity (MD), and mean fractional anisotropy (FA) of the UF were measured by means of tractography. The influence of FA threshold on mean FA values was determined and the values were further related to the tract volume. Results: In patients with TBI, 16% of the volumes and 29% of the FA values were decreased and 25% of the MD values were increased (> 2 SD from the mean of controls). Small tracts (6% of trajectories) often had normal mean FA, but low volume-related FA values. Large UFs often had decreased mean FA values, but normal volumerelated central values (3% of trajectories). Conclusion: Posttraumatic FA and MD changes and volume reductions are common in the tractography of UF. Trauma-induced volume changes can cause misleading whole-tract mean FA values. Therefore, additional volume- based analysis of the central part is beneficial for clinical assessment.
Purpose: To demonstrate the sensitivity of quantitative diffusion tensor tractography to traumatic injury of the uncinate fasciculus (UF), and to evaluate the effect of volume changes on the accuracy of quantitative analysis. Materials and Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed at 3 T for 110 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 60 control subjects. Volume, mean diffusivity (MD), and mean fractional anisotropy (FA) of the UF were measured by means of tractography. The influence of FA threshold on mean FA values was determined and the values were further related to the tract volume. Results: In patients with TBI, 16% of the volumes and 29% of the FA values were decreased and 25% of the MD values were increased (> 2 SD from the mean of controls). Small tracts (6% of trajectories) often had normal mean FA, but low volume-related FA values. Large UFs often had decreased mean FA values, but normal volumerelated central values (3% of trajectories). Conclusion: Posttraumatic FA and MD changes and volume reductions are common in the tractography of UF. Trauma-induced volume changes can cause misleading whole-tract mean FA values. Therefore, additional volume- based analysis of the central part is beneficial for clinical assessment.
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