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Diffusion tensor imaging in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a review. J Neurosurg Spine 2020 Jul 01;33(1):65-72

Date

02/29/2020

Pubmed ID

32109862

DOI

10.3171/2019.12.SPINE191158

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85090702776 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   40 Citations

Abstract

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 SN

Authors

Matthew Budde PhD Associate Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Shekar N. Kurpad MD, PhD Sr Associate Dean, Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Saman Shabani MD Assistant Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Marjorie Wang MD Clinical Transformation Officer, Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin