Correlation between diffusion tensor indices and fascicular morphometric parameters of peripheral nerve

Introduction: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that measures the anisotropy of water diffusion. Clinical magnetic resonance imaging scanners enable visualization of the structural integrity of larger axonal bundles in the central nervous system and smaller structures like peripheral nerves; however, their resolution for the depiction of nerve fascicular morphology is limited. Accordingly, high-field strength MRI and strong magnetic field gradients are needed to depict the fascicular pattern. The study aimed to quantify diffusion tensor indices with high-field strength MRI within different anatomical compartments of the median nerve and determine if they correlate with nerve structure at the fascicular level. Methods: Three-dimensional pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) imaging sequence in 19 different gradient directions and b value 1,150 s/mm(2) was performed on a 9.4T wide-bore vertical superconducting magnet. Nine-millimeter-long segments of five median nerve samples were obtained from fresh cadavers and acquired in sixteen 0.625 mm thick slices. Each nerve sample had the fascicles, perineurium, and interfascicular epineurium segmented. The diffusion tensor was calculated from the region-average diffusion-weighted signals for all diffusion gradient directions. Subsequently, correlations between diffusion tensor indices of segmentations and nerve structure at the fascicular level (number of fascicles, fascicular ratio, and cross-sectional area of fascicles or nerve) were assessed. The acquired diffusion tensor imaging data was employed for display with trajectories and diffusion ellipsoids. Results: The nerve fascicles proved to be the most anisotropic nerve compartment with fractional anisotropy 0.44 ± 0.05. In the interfascicular epineurium, the diffusion was more prominent in orthogonal directions with fractional anisotropy 0.13 ± 0.02. Diffusion tensor indices within the fascicles and perineurium differed significantly between the subjects (p < 0.0001); however, there were no differences within the interfascicular epineurium (p ≥ 0.37). There were no correlations between diffusion tensor indices and nerve structure at the fascicular level (p ≥ 0.29). Conclusion: High-field strength MRI enabled the depiction of the anisotropic diffusion within the fascicles and perineurium. Diffusion tensor indices of the peripheral nerve did not correlate with nerve structure at the fascicular level. Future studies should investigate the relationship between diffusion tensor indices at the fascicular level and axon- and myelin-related parameters.