Clinical applications of diffusion tensor imaging.
Directionally-ordered cellular structures that impede water motion, such as cell membranes and myelin, result in water mobility that is also directionally-dependent. Diffusion tensor imaging characterizes this directional nature of water motion and thereby provides structural information that cannot be obtained by standard anatomic imaging. Quantitative apparent diffusion coefficients and fractional anisotropy have emerged from being primarily research tools to methods enabling valuable clinical applications. This review describes the clinical utility of diffusion tensor imaging, including the basic principles of the technique, acquisition, data analysis, and the major clinical applications.
Dong
Qian
Q
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0030, USA.
Welsh
Robert C
RC
Chenevert
Thomas L
TL
Carlos
Ruth C
RC
Maly-Sundgren
Pia
P
Gomez-Hassan
Diana M
DM
Mukherji
Suresh K
SK
D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D014867:Water
D014867:Water