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Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging for characterizing diffuse and focal white matter abnormalities in
R Bammer1, M Augustin, S Strasser-Fuchs
1Magnetic Resonance Institute, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
|October 12, 2000
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals subtle white matter changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. DTI detects abnormalities in normal-appearing white matter and distinguishes between different types of MS lesions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a sensitive MRI technique for characterizing white matter microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter microstructural changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) using high-resolution DTI.
- To differentiate between normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and various types of MS lesions based on diffusion parameters.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution DTI was performed on 14 patients with clinically definite MS.
- Diffusion tensor trace (
) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were quantified in NAWM and focal MS lesions. - Phase-navigated interleaved echo-planar imaging technique was employed.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in
was observed in NAWM compared to control white matter. - A significant decrease in FA was found in normal-appearing white matter tracts.
- Distinct diffusion characteristics (
and FA) were identified for different types of MS lesions, including T(1)-hypointense and T(1)-isointense lesions, as well as active lesions with varying enhancement patterns.
Conclusions:
- DTI can detect subtle isotropic and anisotropic diffusion abnormalities in the NAWM and specific fiber tracts of MS patients.
- DTI effectively differentiates between various focal MS lesion types, offering potential for improved lesion characterization and monitoring.