Diffusion tensor imaging in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a review. J Neurosurg Spine 2020 Feb 28:1-8
Date
02/29/2020Pubmed ID
32109862DOI
10.3171/2019.12.SPINE191158Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85090702776 1 CitationAbstract
Degenerative spondylotic myelopathy is the most common cause of spinal dysfunction, as well as nontraumatic spastic paraparesis and quadriparesis. Although conventional MRI is the gold standard for radiographic evaluation of the spinal cord, it has limited application for determining prognosis and recovery. In the last decade, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which is based on the property of preferential diffusion of water molecules, has gained popularity in evaluating patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The use of DTI allows for evaluation of microstructural changes in the spinal cord not otherwise detected on routine conventional MRI. In this review, the authors describe the application of DTI in CSM evaluation and its role as an imaging biomarker to predict disease severity and prognosis.
Author List
Shabani S, Kaushal M, Budde MD, Wang MC, Kurpad SNAuthors
Matthew Budde PhD Associate Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinShekar N. Kurpad MD, PhD Chair, Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Marjorie Wang MD Chief, Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
