ABSTRACT
Objective: Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography are a relatively new magnetic resonance imaging technique that can provide white matter architectures. In this pilot study, we use these techniques to quantify and evaluate the integrity of white matter tract in a group of subjects with and without lesions involving the corticospinal tract. Methods: Ten subjects (7 patients and 3 controls) who underwent conventional MRI and DTI were retrospectively recruited. DTI data was analyzed with a multiple ROI approach on a workstation to isolate corticospinal tract and obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) and directional average mean diffusivity (Dav). Comparison of these values between affected and unaffected corticospinal tract was done using a Mann-Whitney U test. Results: FA values of the affected side were significantly lower than the unaffected side (comparing affected side of patient versus control and affected side of patient versus unaffected side of patient). Whereas, Dav value was significantly higher only when compared with the affected side of the patient to the control group. Comparison of the unaffected side of the patient versus control and the left side of control versus right side of control showed no statistical differences. Four out of five patients with residual neurological deficit had a higher mean difference of FA. Conclusion: Pathological change of corticospinal tract from various diseases can be quantitatively measured by DTI and fiber tractography. This technique might be useful for early disease detection, to predict disease prognosis or quantitative follow-up of disease progression.