| Autor: |
McKenna MC; Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, 2 D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland.; Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, James St, 8 D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland., Kleinerova J; Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, 2 D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland., Power A; Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, 2 D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland.; Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, James St, 8 D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland., Garcia-Gallardo A; Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, 2 D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland.; Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, James St, 8 D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland., Tan EL; Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, 2 D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland., Bede P; Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, 2 D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland.; Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, James St, 8 D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland. |
| Abstrakt: |
Introduction: Quantitative spinal cord imaging has facilitated the objective appraisal of spinal cord pathology in a range of neurological conditions both in the academic and clinical setting. Diverse methodological approaches have been implemented, encompassing a range of morphometric, diffusivity, susceptibility, magnetization transfer, and spectroscopy techniques. Advances have been fueled both by new MRI platforms and acquisition protocols as well as novel analysis pipelines. The quantitative evaluation of specific spinal tracts and grey matter indices has the potential to be used in diagnostic and monitoring applications. The comprehensive characterization of spinal disease burden in pre-symptomatic cohorts, in carriers of specific genetic mutations, and in conditions primarily associated with cerebral disease, has contributed important academic insights. Methods: A narrative review was conducted to examine the clinical and academic role of quantitative spinal cord imaging in a range of neurodegenerative and acquired spinal cord disorders, including hereditary spastic paraparesis, hereditary ataxias, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, and post-infectious or vascular disorders. Results: The clinical utility of specific methods, sample size considerations, academic role of spinal imaging, key radiological findings, and relevant clinical correlates are presented in each disease group. Conclusions: Quantitative spinal cord imaging studies have demonstrated the feasibility to reliably appraise structural, microstructural, diffusivity, and metabolic spinal cord alterations. Despite the notable academic advances, novel acquisition protocols and analysis pipelines are yet to be implemented in the clinical setting. |
