Introduction
General Information
Fibertracking allows you to track fiber structures in a defined region of interest, based on diffusion-weighted MR images. In addition, you can convert fiber bundles into 3D objects to be used for further planning.
Load a DTI dataset to the current treatment plan to use Fibertracking.
Basis for Fibertracking
Fibertracking is based on the measurement of diffusion anisotropy in the brain using diffusion-weighted images (DTI data) taken in several directions. The Fibertracking software then calculates the direction of diffusion along potential white matter fibers for the entire data volume. By connecting a number of points, the fiber is reconstructed as a line.
DTI Data
Fibertracking uses a service running in the background (DTI Preprocessing Performer) to automatically detect and preprocess valid DTI data. The software converts the data into a DTI study containing the preregistered image sets B0, ADC and (colored) FA maps and the diffusion tensor that is required for Fibertracking. The DTI study can be selected from Patient Selection (refer to the Software User Guide, Content Manager/Patient Selection).
Fibertracking Display
The direction of water diffusion along potential white matter fibers is calculated for the entire data volume. The Fibertracking software displays the direction for each fiber according to a color code, in which certain colors represent a particular direction. In other words, these color maps (neurological convention) provide information about the direction of water diffusion along potential fibers within the slices.
Fiber Colors
Multicolor fibers are colorized according to the following convention:
Fiber Color | Diffusion Direction |
|---|---|
Red | Left-right |
Green | Anterior-posterior |
Blue | Head-foot |
DTI Preprocessing
The calculation of a diffusion tensor field from the DTI data set and the calculation of the ADC and fractional anisotrophy maps are based on methods and algorithms that are already peer reviewed and published:
Le Bihan D, Mangin JF, Poupon C, Clark CA, Pappata S, Molko N, Chabriat H. Diffusion tensor imaging: concepts and applications. J Magn Reson Imaging 2001;13(4):534-546.
Masutani Y, Aoki S, Abe O, Hayashi N, Otomo K. MR diffusion tensor imaging: recent advance and new techniques for diffusion tensor visualization. Eur J Radiol 2003;46(1):53-66.
Fibertracking Algorithm
Fibertracking is based on the FACT (fiber assignment by continuous tracing) algorithm, which was first published by Mori, et al. in 2002 (Mori S, van Zijl PC. Fiber tracking: principles and strategies – A technical review. NMR Biomed 2002;15(7-8):468-480).