Skip to main content

Redefinition of multiple sclerosis plaque size using diffusion tensor MRI.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kealey, SM; Kim, Y; Provenzale, JM
Published in: AJR Am J Roentgenol
August 2004

OBJECTIVE: We used diffusion tensor MRI to redefine the size of multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques on fractional anisotropy (FA) maps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six white matter (WM) plaques were identified in 20 patients with MS. Plaque FA was measured by placing regions of interest (ROIs) on plaques on diffusion tensor images. We compared FA values in identical mirror-image ROIs placed on normal-appearing WM in the contralateral hemisphere. This comparison showed a mean decrease in FA of 41% in plaques, serving as the threshold for outlining abnormal regions in normal-appearing WM surrounding plaques. ROIs were placed around each plaque and FA values were compared with those in the mirror-image ROIs. Combined areas of perilesional normal-appearing WM with 40% or more FA reduction plus plaque were compared with the areas of abnormality on T2-weighted images using a paired Student's t test. A p value of 0.05 or less was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean plaque area was 60 mm(2) (range, 15-103 mm(2)), mean plaque FA was 0.251 (range, 0.133-0.436), and mean FA of contralateral normal-appearing WM was 0.429 (range, 0.204-0.712). Applying a threshold of 40% FA reduction, mean combined area of abnormal WM (including plaque seen on T2-weighted sequences) was 87 mm(2) (range, 30-251 mm(2)) or 145% of the mean plaque area that was seen on T2-weighted images (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Using an operator-defined threshold of abnormal FA values based on plaque anisotropy characteristics, we saw a statistically significant increase in plaque size.

Duke Scholars

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

ISSN

0361-803X

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

183

Issue

2

Start / End Page

497 / 503

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retrospective Studies
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Humans
  • Gadolinium DTPA
  • Female
  • Contrast Media
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Kealey, S. M., Kim, Y., & Provenzale, J. M. (2004). Redefinition of multiple sclerosis plaque size using diffusion tensor MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol, 183(2), 497–503. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.183.2.1830497
Kealey, Susan M., YoungJoo Kim, and James M. Provenzale. “Redefinition of multiple sclerosis plaque size using diffusion tensor MRI.AJR Am J Roentgenol 183, no. 2 (August 2004): 497–503. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.183.2.1830497.
Kealey SM, Kim Y, Provenzale JM. Redefinition of multiple sclerosis plaque size using diffusion tensor MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004 Aug;183(2):497–503.
Kealey, Susan M., et al. “Redefinition of multiple sclerosis plaque size using diffusion tensor MRI.AJR Am J Roentgenol, vol. 183, no. 2, Aug. 2004, pp. 497–503. Pubmed, doi:10.2214/ajr.183.2.1830497.
Kealey SM, Kim Y, Provenzale JM. Redefinition of multiple sclerosis plaque size using diffusion tensor MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004 Aug;183(2):497–503.

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

ISSN

0361-803X

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

183

Issue

2

Start / End Page

497 / 503

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retrospective Studies
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Humans
  • Gadolinium DTPA
  • Female
  • Contrast Media