A preliminary ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging study of distinct aortic morphologies

Authors

• B Tornifoglio, Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
• S T. Robinson, MaineHealth
• R E. Levey, Disciple of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
• A J. Stone, Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
• S Campisi, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
• C Kerskens, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
• G P. Duffy, Disciple of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
• S Avril, Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, INSERM, Saint-Etienne, France.
• C Lally, Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2025

Institution/Department

Surgery; MaineHealth Medical Group Academic Pathway

Journal Title

Journal of anatomy

MeSH Headings

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (methods); Humans; Aorta (diagnostic imaging, anatomy & histology); Male; Aortic Dissection (diagnostic imaging, pathology); Female; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm (diagnostic imaging, pathology); Middle Aged

Abstract

Changes in the microstructure of the aortic wall precede the progression of various aortic pathologies, including aneurysms and dissection. Current clinical decisions with regards to surgical planning and/or radiological intervention are guided by geometric features, such as aortic diameter, since clinical imaging lacks tissue microstructural information. The aim of this proof-of-concept work is to investigate a non-invasive imaging method, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), in ex vivo aortic tissue to gain insights into the microstructure. This study examines healthy, aneurysm and a type B chronic dissection aortae, via DTI. DTI-derived metrics, such as the fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, helical angle and tractography, were examined in each morphology. The results from this work highlighted distinct differences in fractional anisotropy (healthy, 0.24 ± 0.008; aneurysmal, 0.19 ± 0.002; dissected, 0.13 ± 0.006) and a larger variation in the helical angle in the dissected aorta compared to healthy (39.28 ± 11.93° vs. 26.12 ± 4.60°, respectively). These differences were validated by histological characterisation. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of DTI to pathological changes in aortic tissue, highlighting the potential of this methodology to provide improved clinical insight.

First Page

745

Last Page

756

Recommended Citation

Tornifoglio, B; Robinson, S T.; Levey, R E.; Stone, A J.; Campisi, S; Kerskens, C; Duffy, G P.; Avril, S; and Lally, C, "A preliminary ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging study of distinct aortic morphologies" (2025). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 4563.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/4563