title: Diffusion tensor imaging of radiculopathy in patients with lumbar disc herniation: preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the time course of changes in parameters of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) such as fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. We also investigated the correlation between the severity of neurological symptoms and these parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 13 patients with unilateral radiculopathy due to herniation of a lumbar disc were investigated with DTI on a 1.5T MR scanner and underwent micro discectomy. There were nine men and four women, with a median age of 55.5 years (19 to 79). The changes in the mean FA and ADC values and the correlation between these changes and the severity of the neurological symptoms were investigated before and at six months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean FA values were significantly lower (p = 0.0005) and mean ADC values were significantly higher (p = 0.0115) in compressed nerves than in intact nerves. Although the FA values increased significantly at six months after surgical treatment (p = 0.020), the ADC values decreased but not significantly (p = 0.498). There were strong correlations between the DTI parameters such as the FA value and the severity of the neurological symptoms as assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study suggests that it may be possible to use DTI to diagnose, quantitatively evaluate and follow-up patients with lumbar nerve entrapment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DTI is a potential tool for functional diagnosis of lumbar nerve damage.
authors.affiliation: Shimoshizu National Hospital, 934-5, Shikawatashi, Yotsukaido, Chiba, 284-0003, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.affiliation: Chiba Children's Hospital, 579-1 Heta-Chou, Midori-ku, Chiba, 266-0007, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oikawa
authors.affiliation: Shimoshizu National Hospital, 934-5, Shikawatashi, Yotsukaido, Chiba, 284-0003, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orita
authors.affiliation: Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.affiliation: Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Eastern Chiba Medical Center, 3-6-2, Okayamadai, Togane, Chiba, 283-8686, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.affiliation: Eastern Chiba Medical Center, 3-6-2, Okayamadai, Togane, Chiba, 283-8686, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohtori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016880:Anisotropy; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: apparent diffusion coefficient; diffusion tensor imaging; fractional anisotropy; lumbar disc herniation; radiculopathy