09/10/2025
☢️What are diffusion tensor imaging & tractography ?
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Tractography are advanced MRI techniques that visualize and analyze the white matter pathways (nerve fiber tracts) in the brain and spinal cord.
Here’s a clear explanation of each:
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🧠 1. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
🔸Definition:
DTI is an MRI technique that measures the diffusion (movement) of water molecules within tissues—especially in white matter of the brain.
🔸Key Concept:
• In the brain’s white matter, water molecules tend to move along the direction of axon fibers (anisotropic diffusion) rather than equally in all directions (isotropic diffusion).
• DTI uses this property to infer the orientation and integrity of white matter tracts.
‼️What DTI measures:
• FA (Fractional Anisotropy): how directional the diffusion is; higher FA = healthier, more organized white matter.
• MD (Mean Diffusivity): how freely water diffuses overall; higher MD = possible damage or loss of tissue density.
• AD (Axial Diffusivity): diffusion along the main fiber axis.
• RD (Radial Diffusivity): diffusion perpendicular to the fibers.
✅Clinical uses:
• Detecting white matter injury (e.g., in trauma, multiple sclerosis, or stroke).
• Assessing brain development or aging.
• Evaluating tumor infiltration.
• Pre-surgical planning to avoid important fiber tracts.
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🧩 2. Tractography
🔸Definition:
Tractography is a 3D reconstruction technique based on DTI data that visually maps out the pathways of white matter tracts in the brain.
🔸How it works:
• The DTI provides the direction of diffusion in each small voxel.
• Tractography algorithms connect voxels that share similar diffusion directions, creating virtual “fiber tracts.”
🔸Output:
A 3D map showing the major neural pathways—like the corticospinal tract, corpus callosum fibers, or arcuate fasciculus.
‼️Applications:
• Neurosurgical planning: identify and preserve vital tracts during brain surgery.
• Neurological research: study connectivity and brain network organization.
• Clinical diagnosis: visualize tract disruption after stroke, tumor, or demyelination.