Role of spinal cord tractography for cervical spine function and prognosis in cervical intraspinal tumor

Diffusion tensor imaging is a promising technique for assessing abnormalities in the spinal cord. We aimed to explore the imaging features of diffusion tensor tractography in patients with cervical intraspinal tumor and examine its relationship with spinal cord function and prognosis. Twenty-four patients undergoing surgical removal of cervical intraspinal tumor between February 2014 and April 2015 were enrolled. Diffusion tensor imaging data of the cervical spinal cord were collected three days pre-operatively. Tractography analyses were used to classify the fiber tracts in the cervical spine into an intact form (including fiber tract displacement caused by compression and pressure of the tumor), and a disrupted form (including partial and complete disruption). McCormick grading of the spinal cord function was compared between the intact and the disrupted form pre-and post-operatively. McCormick grade of the disrupted form was higher than that of the intact form. Prognosis of the spinal cord function one month postoperatively in patients with intact form were significantly better than those with disrupted form. Diffusion tensor tractography is a promising tool for the prognostic and to guide therapy in patients with cervical intraspinal tumors.