DTI means Diffusion Tensor Imaging – an advanced MRI technique.

 DTI means Diffusion Tensor Imaging – an advanced MRI technique.

👉 It is used to study the movement (diffusion) of water molecules in tissues, especially in the white matter of the brain.
Because water molecules move more easily along the length of nerve fibers than across them, DTI can map the orientation and integrity of white matter tracts.

Key Points about DTI:

• Based on: Diffusion-weighted MRI sequences.

• Measures: Direction and degree of water diffusion.

• Gives: Quantitative values such as

  • FA (Fractional Anisotropy): indicates white matter integrity.

  • MD (Mean Diffusivity): shows overall diffusion level.

• Applications:

  • Detecting white matter abnormalities in stroke, trauma, tumors, and demyelinating diseases.

  • Pre-surgical planning (e.g., brain tumor resection) to avoid important fiber tracts.

  • Studying neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis).

  • Evaluating traumatic brain injury (TBI).

  • Research in brain connectivity (tractography).

📌 Tractography (a 3D reconstruction method) is often done after DTI to visualize nerve fiber pathways like the corticospinal tract, arcuate fasciculus, etc.