Diffusion Tensor Tractography in Patient with Cervical Spondylosis and Correlation with Clinical Findings

Authors

  • Mahesh Gautam Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal
  • Robinson Shrestha Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal
  • Nawaraj Ranabhat Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Prakash Kafle Nobel Institute of Neurosciences, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal
  • Bijay Shrestha Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal
  • Ashish Mohan Bhattarai Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/njr.v14i1.64623

Keywords:

Anisotropy, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Radiology, White Matter

Abstract

Introduction: Diffusion tensor imaging is a non-invasive advanced method that provides information on white matter microstructural integrity. Fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient have been used to quantify the degree of axonal damage and demyelination. The study aims to assess the role of diffusion tensor parameters in detecting early myelopathic changes and correlate them with clinical findings.

Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study including 60 patients with clinical history of cervical myelopathy was carried out at the Department of Radiology from June 2021 to July 2022. Nurick score was used to assess the severity clinically and diffusion tensor images of the cervical spine were obtained using 3 Tesla MRI. These diffusion tensor values at the level of maximum stenosis were compared with those of the non-stenotic level. A correlation between the diffusion tensor parameters and clinical Nurick score was done.

Results: The fractional anisotropy values were significantly lower (0.51 ± 0.14 vs 0.76 ± 0.47) and apparent diffusion coefficient values were significantly higher (1.20 ± 0.20 vs 1.04 ± 0.12) at the level of maximum stenosis compared with non-stenotic levels. There was a moderate positive and strong negative correlation between the apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy values with the Nurick score.

Conclusions: A significant reduction in the fractional anisotropy and an increase in apparent diffusion coefficient values at the level of stenosis was observed in individuals without a high T2 signal within the cord. Thus, these parameters might have a potential role in the early diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
118
pdf
107

Author Biographies

Mahesh Gautam, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Robinson Shrestha, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

Lecturer, Department of Radiology

Nawaraj Ranabhat, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal

Lecturer, Department of Radiology

Prakash Kafle, Nobel Institute of Neurosciences, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery                                                                                                                 

Bijay Shrestha, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

Resident Doctor, Department of Radiology

Ashish Mohan Bhattarai, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

Resident Doctor, Department of Radiology

Downloads

Published

2024-04-25

How to Cite

Gautam, M., Shrestha, R., Ranabhat, N., Kafle, P., Shrestha, B., & Bhattarai, A. M. (2024). Diffusion Tensor Tractography in Patient with Cervical Spondylosis and Correlation with Clinical Findings. Nepalese Journal of Radiology, 14(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.3126/njr.v14i1.64623

Issue

Section

Original Articles