Diffusion tensor MR imaging and comparative histology of glioma engrafted in the rat spinal cord

MR imaging using contrast material derived from the diffusion of tissue wat er was tested for its ability to provide a nondestructive histologic analys is of tumor morphology. An apparent diffusion tensor MR image of a glioma e ngrafted within a rat spinal cord was generated in which fiber orientation in three dimensions was displayed in color. This imaging method clearly sep arated tumor from host white and gray matter and corresponded well with con ventional histologic microscopy.