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KMID : 1103720160750020113
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Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
2016 Volume.75 No. 2 p.113 ~ p.120
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Diffusion Tensor Tractography of the Brainstem Pyramidal Tract: A Study on the Optimal Reduction Factor in Parallel Imaging
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Bae Yun-Jung
Park Jong-Bin
Kim Jae-Hyoung
Choi Byung-Se
Jung Cheol-Kyu
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Abstract
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Purpose: Parallel imaging mitigates susceptibility artifacts that can adversely affect diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) of the pons depending on the reduction (R) factor. We aimed to find the optimal R factor for DTT of the pons that would allow us to visualize the largest possible number of pyramidal tract fibers.
Materials and Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging was performed on 10 healthy subjects at 3 Tesla based on single-shot echo-planar imaging using the following parameters: b value, 1000 s/mm2; gradient direction, 15; voxel size, 2 × 2 × 2 mm3; and R factors, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. DTT of the right and left pyramidal tracts in the pons was conducted in all subjects. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), image distortion, and the number of fibers in the tracts were compared across R factors.
Results: SNR, image distortion, and fiber number were significantly different according to R factor. Maximal SNR was achieved with an R factor of 2. Image distortion was minimal with an R factor of 5. The number of visible fibers was greatest with an R factor of 3.
Conclusion: R factor 3 is optimal for DTT of the pontine pyramidal tract. A balanced consideration of SNR and image distortion, which do not have the same dependence on the R factor, is necessary for DTT of the pons.
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KEYWORD
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Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Pons, Pyramidal Tracts, Signal-To-Noise Ratio
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