Inter-Site Reproducibility of Peripheral Nerve DTI in the Upper Extremities

Motivation: Peripheral nerve injuries can result in disability if not treated in a timely-manner. FA from DTI can report on the injury severity. To advance clinical readiness, consistency across different sites is to be tested. Goal(s): To test the reproducibility of peripheral nerve DTI of the wrist in median and ulnar nerves in two different Philips magnets from different sites. Approach: DTI data was collected from 3T Philips Ingenia, 3T Philips Achieva magnets from two sites using the same DTI protocol, and the reproducibility was evaluated. Results: Coefficient of variation, Bland-Altmann plots and ICC indicated that the DTI parameters were highly consistent and reproducible. Impact: Peripheral nerve trauma results in disability. Even after surgery, it can take months for electro-diagnostics to report on success/recovery. FA from DTI can report on injury-severity and failed surgeries. To advance for clinical readiness, consistency across multiple sites is required.