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Dynamic diffusion tensor imaging of spinal cord contusion: A canine model
Author(s) -
Liu Changbin,
Yang Degang,
Li Jianjun,
Li Dapeng,
Yang Mingliang,
Sun Wei,
Meng Qianru,
Zhang Wenhao,
Cai Chang,
Du Liangjie,
Li Jun,
Gao Feng,
Gu Rui,
Feng Yutong,
Dong Xuechao,
Miao Qi,
Yang Xinghua,
Zuo Zhentao
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.24222
Subject(s) - diffusion mri , medicine , fractional anisotropy , spinal cord injury , spinal cord , effective diffusion coefficient , lesion , anatomy , white matter , pathology , magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear medicine , radiology , psychiatry
Abstract This study aimed to explore the dynamic diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of changes in spinal cord contusion using a canine model of injury involving rostral and caudal levels. In this study, a spinal cord contusion model was established in female dogs using a custom‐made weight‐drop lesion device. DTI was performed on dogs with injured spinal cords (n=7) using a Siemens 3.0T MRI scanner at pre‐contusion and at 3 h, 24 h, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post‐injury. The tissue sections were stained for immunohistochemical analysis. Canine models of spinal cord contusion were created successfully using the weight‐drop lesion device. The fractional anisotropy (FA) value of lesion epicenter decreased, while the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) values increased, and the extent of the curve was apparent gradually. The site and time affected the DTI parameters significantly in the whole spinal cord, ADC (site, P < 0.001 and time, P = 0.077, respectively); FA (site, P < 0.001 and time, P = 0.002, respectively). Immunohistological analysis of GFAP and NF revealed the pathologic changes of reactive astrocytes and axons, as well as the cavity and glial scars occurring during chronic SCI. DTI is a sensitive and noninvasive imaging tool useful to assess edema, hemorrhage, cavity formation, structural damage and reconstruction of axon, and myelin in dogs. The DTI parameters after contusion vary. However, the curves of ADC, MD, and RD were nearly similar and the FA curve was distinct. All the DTI parameters were affected by distance and time.