title: Preoperative diffusion tensor imaging: improving neurosurgical outcomes in brain tumor patients.
abstract: Preoperative mapping has revolutionized neurosurgical care for brain tumor patients. Maximizing resections has improved diagnosis, optimized treatment algorithms, and decreased potentially devastating postoperative deficits. Although mapping has multiple steps and complimentary localization sources, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) excels in its essential role in depicting white matter tracts. A thorough understanding of DTI, data visualization methods, and limitations with mastery of functional and dysfunctional white matter anatomy is necessary to realize the potential of DTI. By establishing spatial relationships between lesion borders and functional networks preoperatively and intraoperatively, DTI is central to high-risk neurosurgical resections and becoming the standard of care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. Electronic address: julmer@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ulmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Wade M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Edgar A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: DeYoe
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Leighton P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Mark
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D066127:White Matter / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Brain mapping; Diffusion tensor imaging; Neurosurgery; Outcome