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Analysis of normal-appearing white matter in multiple sclerosis: comparison of diffusion tensor MR imaging and magnetization transfer imaging.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Guo, AC; Jewells, VL; Provenzale, JM
Published in: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol
2001

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our purpose was to compare diffusion tensor MR and magnetization transfer imaging in assessing normal-appearing white matter (WM) regions in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Diffusion tensor, magnetization transfer, and conventional MR imaging were performed in 12 patients with MS. Fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs), and magnetization transfer ratios (MTRs) were measured in plaques, normal-appearing periplaque WM (PWM) regions, and normal-appearing WM regions remote from plaques. Mean fractional anisotropy, ADCs, and MTRs were calculated and compared in WM regions. RESULTS: Fractional anisotropy was lower in normal-appearing PWM regions than in remote WM regions (P <.001) but higher than in plaques (P <.001). MTRs were lower (not significantly, P =.19) in normal-appearing PWM regions than in remote regions. MTRs were higher in normal-appearing PWM regions than in plaques (P <.001). ADCs were higher in normal-appearing PWM regions than in remote regions (P =.008) but lower than in plaques (P =.001). Correlation between fractional anisotropy and MTRs of individual lesions was poor (r = 0.18) and between fractional anisotropy and ADC, modest (r = -0.39). CONCLUSION: In MS, diffusion tensor MR imaging can depict differences between WM regions that are not apparent on conventional MR images. Anisotropy measurements may be more sensitive than those of MTRs in detecting subtle abnormalities in PWM.

Duke Scholars

Published In

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

ISSN

0195-6108

Publication Date

2001

Volume

22

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1893 / 1900

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Brain
  • Anisotropy
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM

Published In

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

ISSN

0195-6108

Publication Date

2001

Volume

22

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1893 / 1900

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Brain
  • Anisotropy