In vivo visualization of white matter fiber tracts of preterm- and term-infant brains with diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to test the feasibility of visualizing a 3-dimensional structure of cerebral white matter fiber tracts in preterm infants, postconceptional age (PCA) 28 weeks to term, by using volumetric diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) data.


METHODS
We combined tractography algorithms and visualization methods, currently available for adult DTI data, to trace the pixelated principal direction of a diffusion tensor originating from regions-of-interest with high fractional anisotropy. Consequently, white matter fiber bundles from the genu and the splenium of corpus callosum, the corticospinal tracts, the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi, and optic radiations were visualized.


RESULTS
Our results suggest that major white matter tracts of preterm infant brains, with PCAs ranging from 28 weeks to term (40 weeks old), can be successfully visualized despite the small brain volume and low anisotropy.


CONCLUSIONS
The feasibility of fiber tractography in preterm neonates with DTI may add a new dimension in detection and characterization of white matter injuries of preterm infants.
Yoo
Seung-Schik
SS
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. yoo@bwh.harvard.edu
Park
Hae-Jeong
HJ
Soul
Janet S
JS
Mamata
Hatsuho
H
Park
HyunWook
H
Westin
Carl-Fredrik
CF
Bassan
Haim
H
Du Plessis
Adre J
AJ
Robertson
Richard L
RL
Maier
Stephan E
SE
Ringer
Steven A
SA
Volpe
Joseph J
JJ
Zientara
Gary P
GP
D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male