Three-dimensional visualization of the periprostatic nerve fibers using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging with diffusion tensor tractography before radical prostatectomy: a preliminary study
Chen Ke1,2, Jia Zhuo2, Lü Xiangjun2, Ao Liyan1,2, Ren Changhao1,2, Xu Yunlai1,2, Zhang Xiaojing3, Wang Haiyi3, Wang Baojun2, Ma Xin2, Zhang Xu2,*
1Medical School of Chinese PLA,Beijing 100853,China; 2Department of Urology, the Third Medical Center,Chinese PLA General Hospital,Beijing 100039,China; 3Department of Radiology,the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital,Beijing 100853,China
Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the effect of three-dimensional reconstruction on periprostatic nerve fibers imaging using pelvic magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) fused with T2WI images and organ reconstruction images, and to investigate the value of periprostatic nerve protection in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Methods: A total of 15 patients with pelvic MRI plain and enhanced scans (including T1WI, T2WI, DWI, DTI, T1 LAVA Flex dynamic phase sequences) and biopsy-proven prostate cancer were included, and the periprostatic nerve was traced and visualized by DTI with DTT technique, and images were fused with T2WI images and 3D reconstruction images of the organ to show the path of the periprostatic nerve fibers and its relationship with the pelvic organs. The differences in urination and erectile function before and after operation were compared. Results: Of the 15 patients with prostate cancer who underwent three-dimensional periprostatic nerve fibers tracing reconstruction, 4 patients were excluded due to poor quality of the original images, while the remaining 11 patients had excellent image quality and clearly traced and showed the periprostatic nerve path and relationship with the pelvic organs. At 6th month after operation, the urination function of the patients basically recovered to the preoperative level, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.165). The erectile function of patients at 6th month after operation was worse, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.028). Conclusion: The pelvic MRI DTI combined with DTT technique can clearly track the periprostatic nerve and show the relationship between the nerve fibers and pelvic organs by fusing T2WI images and 3D organ reconstruction images, which is valuable for the intraoperative protection of the periprostatic nerve.
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