Diffusion Tensor MRI-based Tractography Used to Evaluate Spinal Nerve Root Function

Using imaging technology and a scoring system of spinal nerve root morphology, Chinese investigators have been able to quantitatively assess nerve root morphology and functional alteration after intervertebral disc degeneration.

Dr. Xin Tian and colleagues from the department of medical imaging at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University (Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China) were the first to use diffusion tensor tractography to reveal spinal nerve root function.

If protruding or bulging intervertebral discs occupies the intervertebral foramen of the spine, nerve roots become compressed. The cross-sectional nerve root fiber area is reduced, then fiber bundles gather together, and are interrupted at the affected side, with no branching.

The study’s findings were published online December 09, 2013, in the journal Neural Regeneration Research, and suggest that diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging-based tractography can be used to quantitatively evaluate nerve root function according to the area and morphology of fiber bundles of spinal nerve roots.

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Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University