title: In vivo diffusion tensor imaging of chronic spinal cord compression : a rat model with special attention to the conus medullaris.
abstract: Background Few studies have focused on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters of the conus medullaris after chronic compression in the cervical spinal cord. Purpose To discuss the correlation of DTI parameters between the chronically compressed cervical spinal cord and the conus medullaris in a rat model at different time points. Material and Methods Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups: control group (group A), sham group (group B), and test groups C, D, and E (1, 2, and 3 weeks after compression, respectively). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the cervical spinal cord and conus medullaris were compared among different groups. Correlations of ADC and FA values of the cervical spinal cord with those of the conus medullaris were performed in all groups. Results The ADC values at the cervical spinal cord and conus medullaris in all test groups were higher than those of group A and B, while the FA values were lower. The ADC value of the cervical spinal cord was linearly correlated with that of the conus medullaris only in group D. There were no linear correlations of FA values between the cervical spinal cord and the conus medullaris in all test groups. Conclusion After compression of the cervical spinal cord, ADC values of the cervical spinal cord and conus medullaris in test group were significantly increased, while FA values were significantly decreased. The ADC value of the cervical spinal cord was linearly correlated with that of the conus medullaris at 2 weeks after compression.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Xueming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhenshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Libin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Yanhui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); cervical spinal cord; chronic compression; conus medullaris; rat