Diffusion Weighted Imaging And Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging In The Evaluation Of Brain Tumors

Diffusion weighted imaging and diffusion tensor MR imaging in the evaluation of brain tumorsPart I Quantitative diffusion brain MR imaging: normative human data and anatomic analysisPurpose: To obtain normative human cerebral data and to evaluate the anatomic information in diffusion weighted imaging and diffusion tensor MR imaging. Material and methods: Quantitative DWI and DTI were obtained in 12 healthy adults by using single shot SE EPI sequence in a GE 1.5T super conduct MR unit. ADC map was generated from DWI data and Trace D map, pseudo DWI, FA map, Dxx, Dyy, and Dzz were generated from DTI data in workstation. White matter and grey matter anatomy were assed at visual inspection, and values were measured in various brain regions. Different parameters including FA, ADC value, Trace D, T2 intensity, and pseudo DW were compared on the basis of information content. Color tractography images were generated from Dxx, Dyy, and Dzz maps in PC by using photoshop software. Results: Statistically differences in ADC, Traced D, and FA were found within normal brain parenchyma. Diffusion anisotropy varied among different white matter regions, reflecting differences in fiber tract architecture. FA and color tractography images depicted white matter features not typically seen on conventional MR images (e.g., external capsule, internal capsule, callus, pyramidal tract). Conclusion: Quantitative MR diffusion tensor imaging can be obtained rapidly and demonstrate subtle white matter anatomy. Different histologic types of white matter have significant and reproducible anisotropy difference...