A new technique for imaging the human spinal cord in vivo. Biomed Sci Instrum 2006;42:255-60
Date
07/05/2006Pubmed ID
16817617Scopus ID
2-s2.0-70449102396 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 12 CitationsAbstract
Diffusion tensor imaging has been used extensively in the brain for identifying morphological characteristics based on gray and white matter structures; however, similar applications in the spinal cord have not been as successful. Spatial resolution and limited contrast have undermined accurate delineation between gray and white matter in the spinal cord. This study applied fuzzy logic to diffusion tensor images of the human spinal cord to discriminate between gray and white matter. The technique used common anisotropy indices and newly developed indices based on properties of the diffusion ellipsoid. Preliminary applications to subjects with varying levels of spinal cord injury are also presented in this study. Results indicated larger contrast between gray and white matter compared to the traditional fractional anisotropy index and thus presents a superior technique for determining precise morphology of the spinal cord.
Author List
Ellingson BM, Ulmer JL, Schmit BDAuthor
Brian Schmit PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Algorithms
Artificial Intelligence
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Fuzzy Logic
Humans
Image Enhancement
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Middle Aged
Pattern Recognition, Automated
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Injuries
