Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Sural Nerves

Boklye Kim¹, T. L. Chenevert¹, Ashok Srinivasan¹, B. Sabb¹, Rodica Pop-Busui¹

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising clinical modality for early detection of nerve damage. The aim of this study is to develop an optimal DTI protocol for quantitative analysis of the sural nerves in the lower legs and ankles, which has been problematic due to its small size and limited SNR. While strongly facilitated along the elongated fiber in healthy subjects, the diffusion of tissue water loses directionality in diabetic patients due to the loss of fiber density. We present the anatomical localization and nerve fractional anisotropy measurements of the sural nerve to determine the integrity of nerve myelination.