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Demyelinating plaques in relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis: assessment with diffusion
A Castriota Scanderbeg1, F Tomaiuolo, U Sabatini
1Department of Radiology, S. Lucia, Rome, Italy.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|May 18, 2000
Summary
Diffusion-weighted MRI measures water diffusion coefficients to differentiate multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion severity. Higher diffusion values correlate with increased disability and disease duration in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
- Multiple Sclerosis Pathophysiology
Background:
- Conventional MRI lacks specificity for multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion pathology and clinical status.
- Need for advanced MRI techniques to better characterize MS disease burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the orientationally averaged water diffusion coefficient (
) for distinguishing MS plaque severity. - To correlate
values with disease duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and T1-weighted MRI signal intensity.
Main Methods:
- Twenty MS patients (relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive) and 11 healthy volunteers underwent diffusion-weighted MRI.
was calculated by averaging diffusion coefficients across x, y, and z directions. - Analysis of variance tested differences in
among normal white matter, relapsing-remitting, and secondary-progressive MS lesions.
Main Results:
was significantly higher in secondary-progressive lesions (1.445 ± 0.129 x 10⁻³ mm²/s) compared to relapsing-remitting lesions (0.951 ± 0.08 x 10⁻³ mm²/s) and normal white matter (0.732 ± 0.02 x 10⁻³ mm²/s). - A negative correlation was found between
and T1-weighted hypointensity. - A positive correlation existed between
and both EDSS score and disease duration.
Conclusions:
- The orientationally averaged water diffusion coefficient (
) effectively differentiates MS lesions based on severity. values correlate with clinical disability and disease progression in multiple sclerosis.