Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the normal human uterus in vivo at 3 tesla: Comparison of DTI parameters in the different uterine layers

Koji Fujimoto*, Aki Kido, Tomohisa Okada, Masato Uchikoshi, Kaori Togashi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the differences in the fiber architecture and related diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters among different uterine layers of the normal human uterus in vivo at 3 Tesla (T). Materials and Methods: DTI of the uterus was performed for nine healthy women of reproductive age on a 3T scanner. A volume of interest (VOI) was drawn for the outer myometrium (OM), junctional zone (JZ), and endometrium (EM). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), and maximum fiber length were compared using paired Student's t-tests. Fibers were classified into four groups and were visually evaluated. Results: ADC (×10-3 mm2/s) was highest for OM (1.12), followed by EM (0.97) and JZ (0.83) (OM versus JZ, P < 0.0001; JZ versus EM, P = 0.0001; OM versus EM, P = 0.0057). FA was highest for JZ (0.297), followed by OM (0.257) and EM (0.186) (OM versus JZ, P = 0.0002; JZ versus EM, P < 0.0001; OM versus EM, P < 0.0001). Fibers were longest in OM (42.0 mm), followed by JZ (34.2 mm) and EM (20.0 mm). Circularly oriented fibers were observed in 69% in OM and in 70% in JZ. Conclusion: DTI of the uterus in vivo revealed layer-wise differences in the microstructure of the uterus.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1494-1500
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Volume38
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013/12

Keywords

  • diffusion tensor imaging
  • diffusion weighted imaging
  • female pelvis
  • myometrium
  • uterus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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