Feasibility of Multiplexed Sensitivity-Encoding diffusion tensor imaging (MUSE-DTI) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Motivation: MUSE-DTI may elevate spatial resolution and image quality in cervical spine. Goal(s): This study aimed to investigate the clinical diagnosis value of MUSE-DTI in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Approach: Independent T-test or Mann-Whitney t test and Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the differences of FA and ADC values between each two different stages and the correlation to JOA scores. Results: All MUSE-DTI derived values at MCL were correlated with the clinical JOA scores. The axial diffusivity (AD) values were most sensitive to the secondary damage of distal spinal cord. Impact: This study presented the ability of MUSE-DTI in better display cervical spinal cord and spinal cord injury with more reliable measurements for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CSM patients.