title: [The value of diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography in cervical spondylotic myelopathy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the diagnostic value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy volunteers and fifty patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent DTI in the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Ningbo University from January 2014 to April 2015. Healthy volunteers served as controls. Fifty patients were divided into three groups (group A , B, C) according to cervical MRI scan standard. Group A (17 cases) had only the dura mater spinalis compressed; Group B (23 cases) showed the cervical spinal cord compressed, but no high signal in it; Group C (10 cases) had the cervical spinal cord compressed with high signal in the same level. The average apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA)values in these examinee were analyzed and all subjects were performed fiber tracking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant differences in ADC and FA values in C2/C3, C3/C4, C4/C5, C5/C6, C6/C7 of control group (P>0.05). The average ADC and FA values in control group were (0.875 +/- 0.096) x10(3) mm2/s and 0.720 +/- 0.051, respectively; compared with group A,there was no statistically significant difference; compared with group B and C, there was significant difference; comparison among group A, B, C, there was significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DTI can early and accurately quantify the changes of microstructure in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Fiber tracking can show the damage range of spinal cord lesions.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Jian-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hai-bo
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Zhi-hai
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hai-tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sheng-zan
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Wu-liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult