Diffusion tensor imaging

This technique is used to map the white matter tracts in the brain. White matter tracts may be imagined as the wiring that connects various areas of the brain. These connections are very important and disease or disruption in them can cause neurological deficits. Mapping of these white matter tracts help neurosurgeons by providing the location of tracts necessary for proper brain function. In this way, they can preserve these structures while during brain surgery. Additionally, DTI can also help identify abnormal/aberrant white matter tracts (abnormal wiring) that may be seen in various developmental malformations of the brain. This helps in the diagnosis of these disorders.

With this technique, we can also track various white matter tracts (fiber tracking) and generate 3D images of these tracts and show them in relation to the tumors or other surgical targets. This further help neurosurgeons plan their surgery even before they step in the OR.