Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2013, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (41): 7278-7283.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.41.014

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Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of a sciatic nerve traction injury model and its pathologic correlation

Chen Jing-cong1, 2, Li Xin-chun1, Wan Qi1, Sun Chong-peng1, He Jian-xun1, Meng Qiu-hua1, Hong Guo-bin3   

  1. 1The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou  510120, Guangdong Province, China; 2Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou  516001, Guangdong Province, China; 3The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai  519000, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2013-04-17 Revised:2013-08-05 Online:2013-10-08 Published:2013-11-01
  • Contact: Li Xin-chun, M.D., Professor, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China xinchunli@163.com Corresponding author: Hong Guo-bin, M.D., Professor, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China 13702338598@163.com
  • About author:Chen Jing-cong★, Master, Physician, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China; Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou 516001, Guangdong Province, China chenjimson@163.com
  • Supported by:

     National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81171800*; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, No. 0630112*

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging can display the dispersion changes of peripheral nerve injury and be used to conduct quantitative research, so it has good application prospects in displaying the nerve injury and regeneration.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of rabbit acute sciatic nerve traction injury, and to figure out the value of diffusion tensor parameters in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve injuries and to reveal the pathologic basis. 
METHODS: The right hind limb sciatic nerves of 32 New Zealand white rabbits were selected to make the regeneration and repair models, the left hind limb nerves as the sham-operation side. Diffusion tensor imaging examination of sciatic nerves were performed at 1 and 3 days, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after operation with 1.5 T MRI. Fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient were measured through diffusion tensor tracing reconstruction, and then the pathological examination was performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor imaging revealed only the proximal nerve, injured nerve as well as the middle of the distal nerve at 1 day after traction injury. At 1 week, the nerve of distal portion appeared thinner and shorter fiber bundle. At 2-6 weeks after operation, the fiber bundle was increased and thickened. At 8 weeks after operation, the distal nerve fibers had nearly restored to the level before injury. There was significant difference in the fractional anisotropy value of traction portion and distal portions between traction injury and sham-operation group at 1 day-8 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). While there was significant difference in the fractional anisotropy value of proximal traction portion between traction injury and sham-operation group 1 day-   1 week after operation (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the apparent diffusion coefficient values between traction injury and sham-operation group at 1 day-8 weeks after operation. Fall of fractional anisotropy value in the early stage of nerve traction injury was the result of myelin sheath broke down and axonal disintegrated; recovery of fractional anisotropy value resulted from myelin sheath proliferated and myelin sheath grew slowly to mature. Diffusion tensor tracing can show the abnormal change of the sciatic nerve with traction injury in rabbit clearly and early, and the measurement of fractional anisotropy value can be used as the sensitive method to monitor the degeneration and regeneration after nerve traction injury.

Key words: sciatic nerve, diffusion, magnetic resonance imaging, pathology, rabbits

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