Role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Parameters in the Characterization and Differentiation of Infiltrating and Non-Infiltrating Spinal Cord Tumors

Background and Purpose Recent attempts to utilize diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to identify the extent of microinfiltration of a tumor in the brain have been successful. It was therefore speculated that this technique could also be useful in the spinal cord. The aim of this study was to differentiate between infiltrating and noninfiltrating intramedullary spinal tumors using DTI-derived metrics. Material and Methods The study group consisted of 6 patients with infiltrating and 12 with noninfiltrating spinal cord tumors. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium administration was performed followed by DTI. Fractional anisotropy (FA), diffusivity (TRACE) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured in the enhancing tumor mass, peritumoral margins, peritumoral edema and normal appearing spinal cord. The results were compared using non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test with statistical significance p