Line scan diffusion tensor MRI of the cervical spinal cord in preterm infants.
Line scan diffusion tensor magenetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) of the cervical spinal cord was demonstrated in vivo for unsedated preterm (gestational age 24-30 weeks at birth), very low birthweight (birthweight 620-1300 g) infants at postmenstrual ages from 29-40 weeks. Scalar invariant measures of diffusion [apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and relative anisotropy (RA)] determined from a cervical cord region of interest in each case are reported, characterizing the maturational status of the normal third trimester and newborn spinal cord. Mean ADC of 11 infants was 1.2 +/- 0.1 microm(2)/msec and the mean RA was 24.3 +/- 4.9%. Normal infant cord neural fiber tract morphology was visualized using a mapping of the predominant diffusion tensor eigenvector. Potential clinical applications of line scan DT-MRI of the spinal cord of preterm and term newborns for assessment of spinal cord injury are discussed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:949-953.
Murphy
B P
BP
Division of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. murphy.bp@virgin.net
Zientara
G P
GP
Huppi
P S
PS
Maier
S E
SE
Barnes
P D
PD
Jolesz
F A
FA
Volpe
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D004058:Diffusion; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis