Detection of Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy using Lumbosacral Nerve Root Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Motivation: Electrophysiology is the gold-standard tool to diagnose diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), but it is invasive. We try to find a convenient and reliable technique for diagnosing DPN. Goal(s): The study aimed to reveal whether DTI of the lumbosacral nerve roots could be used to detect DPN. Approach: Using a 3T MRI scanner to get the DTI parameters of lumbosacral nerve roots from 2 diabetic patients with and without DPN, respectively, and analyze data using statistical methods. Results: DTI of lumbosacral nerve roots can detect whether peripheral nerve injury occurs in diabetic patients. Impact: DTI of lumbosacral nerve roots can not only detect whether peripheral nerve injury occurs in diabetic patients but also quantitatively describe the degree of peripheral nerve injury and has the potential to evaluate the nerve changes after treatment in DPN patients.