Talk:Diffusion tensor imaging
I consider DTI as a subtopic in Diffusion MR. The latter is about measuring diffusion using MR, while the former is representation/analysis of these measurements (assuming they are from MR) with the use of tensor, and also presenting it as an image. Other than tensor, there are other means to analyze these MR measured values. In addition, DT MRI could be a better abbreviation, since DTI need not be related to MR.
It's true that DT MRI is a subset of diffusion weighted MRI. That doesn't mean its page should be merged with DW MRI. Augustus is a subset of Roman history, but deserves his own page. DT MRI is sufficiently advanced that it 'deserves' its own page.
Calling it DT MRI does make more sense than calling it 'DTI', since (as pointed out), the technique is a subset of MRI and there could be other imaging modalities that would give related information. As a misnomer, DTI is probably too well established in the MRI world to be altered there.
-- RWCox -- 26 Jun 2007 A.D.
DTI is the official term used in all research articles concerning this topic. You shouldnt be inventing new "wikipedia" terms if other terms are already in use by the scientific community. If, as you correctly pointed out, DTI is an established misnomer in the MRI world, Wikipedia will use the same misnomer.
Moreover, you are wrong in your assumption, that "The latter is about measuring diffusion using MR, while the former is representation/analysis of these measurements".
- Diffusion MRI is only sensitive to diffusion in general (one shot, one direction), irrespective of its direction and its main clinical value rests in the detection of acute ischemic stroke.
- Diffusion tensor imaging is an extension of the Diffusion MRI technique - magnetic gradients are switched on in at least 6 different directions in order to obtain a map of main diffusion directions. These data can be used to measure structural organisation of the white matter, or to reconstruct white matter tracts. [1] The main clinical use of DTI lays in preoperative planning for brain tumor surgery - [2] and DTI reconstructions of the pyramid fiber tract (corticospinal) are now widely used in neuronavigation during the surgery.
Ackoz, not logged in. --85.70.5.66 17:44, 16 July 2007 (UTC)
Best not to merge. these are not the same. Zinzone 01:27, 14 September 2007 (UTC)