Anatomical parcellation of the brainstem and cerebellar white matter: a preliminary probabilistic tractography study at 3 T.
BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were: (1) to test whether higher spatial resolution diffusion tensor images and a higher field strength (3 T) enable a more accurate delineation of the anatomical tract within the brainstem, and, in particular, (2) to try to distinguish the different components of the corticopontocerebellar paths in terms of their cortical origins.


METHODS
The main tracts of the brainstem of four volunteers were studied at 3 T using a probabilistic diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) axonal tracking. The resulting tractograms enabled anatomical well-delineated structures to be identified on the diffusion tensor coloured images.


RESULTS
We tracked corticopontine, corticospinal, central tegmental, inferior and superior cerebellopeduncular, transverse, medial lemniscal and, possibly, longitudinal medial fibres. Moreover, DTI tracking allowed a broad delineation of the corticopontocerebellar paths.


CONCLUSIONS
Diffusion tensor coloured images allow a rapid and reliable access to the white matter broad parcellation of the brainstem and of the cerebellum, which can be completed by fibre tracking. However, a more accurate and exhaustive depiction of the anatomical connectivity within the brainstem requires the application of more sophisticated techniques and tractography algorithms, such as diffusion spectrum imaging.
Habas
Christophe
C
Service de NeuroImagerie, Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts, UPMC Paris 6, 28 Rue de Charenton, 75012 Paris, France. chabas@quinze-vingts.fr
Cabanis
Emmanuel Alain
EA
D000328:Adult; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011149:Pons / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012012:Red Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012016:Reference Values; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000033:anatomy & histology
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