The Optimal Trackability Threshold of Fractional Anisotropy for Diffusion Tensor Tractography of the Corticospinal Tract

• DOI: 10.2463/mrms.3.11
• Publication Date: 2005-12-01T05:56:17Z
• Authors: Akira KUNIMATSU; Shigeki AOKI; Yoshitaka MASUTANI; Osamu ABE; Naoto HAYASHI; Harushi MORI; Tomohiko MASUMOTO; Kuni OHTOMO
• Keywords: Corticospinal tract; Cerebral peduncle; Pyramidal tracts

In order to ensure that three-dimensional diffusion tensor tractography (3D-DTT) of the corticospinal tract (CST), is performed accurately and efficiently, we set out find optimal lower threshold fractional anisotropy (FA) below which elongation terminated (trackability threshold).Thirteen patients with acute or early subacute ischemic stroke causing motor deficits were enrolled in this study. We 3D-DTT CST MR (magnetic resonance) imaging. segmented established a cross-section transaxial plane as region interest. Thus, selectively measured FA values right left tracts at level cerebral peduncle, posterior limb internal capsule, centrum semiovale. The also on affected side where clinically relevant infarction was present isotropic diffusion-weighted imaging.3D-DTT allowed us measure CST. Among 267 regions interest measured, minimum value 0.22. smaller more variable semiovale than other regions. mean minus twice standard deviation calculated 0.22 normal unaffected 0.16 side.An about 0.20 found be trackability threshold.