Diffusion tensor imaging parameters may help diagnose diabetic nephropathy accurately

China: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an MRI technique that uses anisotropic diffusion to estimate the axonal (white matter) organization of the brain.It is a variant of conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging based on the tissue water diffusion rate. Fractional anisotropy is a measure often used in diffusion imaging where it is thought to reflect fiber density, axonal diameter, and myelination in white matter

In a study evaluating diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN) by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the researchers found radial diffusivity (RD) fractional anisotropy (FA) to have appreciable diagnostic accuracy. Also, they both were found to have a moderate correlation with motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV). 

The study, published in the European Journal of Radiology, also explored the correlation between DTI parameters and electrophysiological parameters in addition to evaluating diabetes peripheral neuropathy by diffusion tensor imaging. 

Xiangyang Xu, Department of Radiology, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, and the team examined tibial nerve (TN) and common peroneal nerve (CPN) of 32 DPN patients and 23 healthy controls using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and DTI. They measured fractional anisotropy (FA), radial diffusivity (RD), mean diffusivity (MD), and axial diffusivity (AD). The relationship between DTI parameters and electrophysiology parameters in the DPN group was explored using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Diagnostic value was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. 

DOI: https://www.ejradiology.com/article/S0720-048X(21)00488-5/fulltext