Benjamin M.
Ellingson1,2, Jean-Louis Benae2, Shekar N. Kurpad2,
Brian D. Schmit3, Mehmet Kocak1, Marjorie C. Wang2
1Dept. of Radiology, Medical College of
Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; 2Dept. of Neurosurgery,
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; 3Dept.
of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
The
objective of the current study was to characterize the diffusion tensor MRI
(DTI) properties of the cervical spinal cord in patients diagnosed with
cervical spondylosis. Axial DTI was performed throughout the region of
highest cord compression in 17 patients with cervical spondylosis using a
clinical 1.5T MRI system. Results showed spatially localized regions of high
FA and low MD at the site of compression. Longitudinal ADC was significantly
lower than historic controls, whereas transverse ADC was significantly higher
than historic controls in regions adjacent to the site of compression. Results
from this study suggest that FA and MD can be used to localize regions of the
spinal cord under the largest degree of compression.