title: Mean displacement map of spine and spinal cord disorders using high b-value q-space imaging-feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Q-space analysis is a new metric that uses multiple, high b-value, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) data. This technique shows promising results as a tool to provide information complementary to that of other imaging techniques used on biological tissue in vivo.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of a mean displacement (MDP) map of high b-value, q-space imaging (QSI) to characterize spinal and spinal cord lesions in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients with spine or spinal cord disorders (two neurinomas, one myeloma, three cases of syringohydromyelia, and two cases of cervical spondylosis) were included. The MR imaging protocol consisted of conventional MR sequences, conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI; b = 1000), and high b-value QSI with a maximum q value of 836.9 cm(-1). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps of conventional DWI and MDP maps of QSI data were obtained and region-of-interest analyses for the lesions were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MDP values of normal spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tumor parenchyma were 6.57 ± 0.52, 17.6 ± 2.75, and 8.49 ± 2.09, respectively (µm, mean ± standard deviation). In general, MDP maps were not well correlated with the corresponding ADC maps at the pathologic lesions. Spondylotic lesions tended to have higher MDP values than normal spinal cord, whereas syringohydromyelia produced MDP values slightly lower than those of CSF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The heterogeneous MDP values were probably due to differences in tissues and pathologic structures. This technique has potential to provide additional clinical information to that obtained with conventional MR imaging.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Yamanashi, Japan. mahori@juntendo.ac.jp
authors: Masaaki
authors: M
authors: Hori
authors: Utaroh
authors: U
authors: Motosug
authors: Zareen
authors: Z
authors: Fatima
authors: Keiichi
authors: K
authors: Ishigame
authors: Tsutomu
authors: T
authors: Araki
mesh_terms: D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology