3t diffusion tensor imaging and electrhy of peripheral carpal tunnel syndrome.pdf

JO 3 o c M M C a d b 0 hournal of Neuroradiology (2014) 41, 124—130 Available online at RIGINAL ARTICLE T diffusion tensor imaging and electroneurography f peripheral nerve: A morphofunctional analysis in arpal tunnel syndrome arianna Brienzaa,?, Francesco Pujiaa, M. Chiara Colaiacomob, . Grazia Anastasioa, Francesco Pierelli a, Claudio Di Biasib, hiara Andreoli b, Gianfranco Gualdib, Gabriele O.R. Valentea Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies Neurology section, ‘‘Sapienza’’ University of Rome, v.le ell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy Radiology DEA Department, Umberto I Hospital, ‘‘Sapienza’’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy KEYWORDS Diffusion tensor imaging; Median nerve; Fractional anisotropy; Apparent diffusion coefficient; Electroneurography Summary Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic potential of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for pathologies of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) through clinical, elec- trophysiological and morphological evaluation of the median nerve. Methods: The present work was a multilevel prospective study involving 30 subjects, 15 of whom had carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 15 healthy controls. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation through administration of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), electroneurography (ENG), 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging with DTI, and calculation of fractional anisotropy (FA) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) at the flexor retinacu- lum. Tractography was also performed for three-dimensional reconstruction of the route of the median nerve through the carpal tunnel. The degree of functional impairment was compared with the anatomical damage to the median nerve according to ENG and DTI. Results: FA and ADC were significantly correlated with ENG