Consecutive assessment of FA and ADC values of normal lumbar nerve roots from the junction of the dura mater

• Published in: BMC musculoskeletal disorders 2015-06, Vol.16 (1), p.156-156, Article 156
• Main Authors: Miyagi, Ryo, Sakai, Toshinori, Yamabe, Eiko, Yoshioka, Hiroshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Dura Mater - anatomy & histology; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Lumbosacral Plexus - anatomy & histology; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Spinal Nerve Roots - anatomy & histology
• ISSN: 1471-2474; 1471-2474
• DOI: 10.1186/s12891-015-0576-4

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are widely used in the evaluation of the central nervous system and recently have been reported as a potential tool for diagnosis of the peripheral nerve or the lumbar nerve entrapment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate consecutive changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values of normal lumbar nerve roots from the junction of the dura mater. The lumbar spinal nerves were examined in 6 male healthy volunteers (mean age, 35 years) with no experiences of sciatica, with a 3.0-T MR unit using a five-element phased-array surface coil. DTI was performed with the following imaging parameters: 11084.6/73.7 ms for TR/TE; b-value, 800 s/mm2; MPG, 33 directions; slice thickness, 1.5 mm; and total scan time, 7 min 35 s. ADC and FA values at all consecutive points along the L4, L5 and S1 nerves were quantified on every 1.5 mm slice from the junction of the dura mater using short fiber tracking. ADC values of all L4, 5, and S1 nerve roots decreased linearly up to 15 mm from the dura junction and was constant distally afterward. ADC values in the proximal portion demonstrated S1 > L5 > L4 (p  L5 > S1 (p