Clinical Applications for Diffusion MRI and Tractography of Cranial Nerves Within the Posterior Fossa: A Systematic Review.

摘要: Objective: This paper presents a systematic review of diffusion MRI (dMRI) and tractography cranial nerves within the posterior fossa. We assess effectiveness imaging methods used examine their clinical applications. Methods: The Pubmed, Web Science EMBASE databases were searched from January 1st 1997 to December 11th 2017 identify relevant publications. Any study reporting use and/or in patients with confirmed nerve pathology was eligible for selection. Study quality assessed using Methodological Index Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) tool. Results: included 41 studies comprising 16 trigeminal neuralgia (TN), 22 fossa tumor three other pathologies. Most acquisition protocols single-shot echo planar (88%) single b-value 1,000 s/mm2 (78%) but there significant variation number gradient directions, in-plane resolution, slice thickness between studies. dMRI generated interpretable data all cases. Analysis diffusivity measurements found significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values root entry zone affected by TN FA multiple sclerosis. Diffusivity correlate surgical treatment is some evidence that pre-operative may be predictive outcome. Fiber performed 30 (73%). evaluating fiber involved vestibular schwannoma (82%) focused on generating facial assist planning. Deterministic tensor 93% cases reported success rate accuracy tracts acquired varied considerably. Conclusions: has potential inform our understanding microstructural changes occur various Cranial promising technique new avenues should explored optimize improve its reliability.