Application of MR diffusion tensor imaging in rats with spinal cord inj ury in early stage / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)in the evaluation of diffuse microstructural changes in early stage of spinal cord injury (SCI)in rats.Methods Improved Allen's method was used to make SCI in rats model.The rats were divided in the group of four as control,mild,moderate and severe injury groups respectively.We used DTI parameters [fraction anisotropy (FA)and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)]values to observe the spinal cord at different stages (6,24 and 72 hours) after spinal injury in the rats.Results The FA value of the spinal cord began to decrease at 6 hours and reached the lowest at 24 hours after SCI (P<0.05).There were significant differences in FA values between mild,moderate,and severe injury groups (P<0.05). However,ADC value was seen decreased only in the severe injury group,which was lowest at 24 hours after SCI(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with ADC value,FA value can better reflect the severity of spinal cord injury in rats with acute SCI.FA values are correlated with the degrees of injury of spinal cord.