The use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a relatively recent imaging modality based on the same principles used within magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ability to track nerve fibre pathways within the brain using DTI is known as fibre tractography. Tractography is capable of producing both two- and three-dimensional images of the fibre pathways.
With the recent advances of DTI, the ability to evaluate the white matter fibre tracts within the brain and help determine what areas of the brain are affected in trauma cases and also in cases with mass lesions. Post-processing of the tensor imaging provides a color map of the fibre tracts. The images can be viewed in Stentor along with the standard images. Also, DTI is useful in the planning of select epilepsy surgical cases, such as in tuberous sclerosis patients.
The Department of Pediatric Radiology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMCUPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, through the use of tractography, finds itself at the forefront of radiologic advances.
