[Phase-weighted imaging in differentiating multiple system atrophy from idiopathic Parkinson disease]

To assess the efficacy of phase-weighted imaging in differentiating multiple system atrophy (MSA) from idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD).

A phase-weighted sequence was performed covering striatum in 21 patients with MSA, 20 patients with IPD, and 26 age-matched healthy volunteers after conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging examination on a 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging system. An experienced neuroradiologist who were blind to the clinical diagnosis applied region of interest (ROI) on post-processing phase images to measure the phase shift value of bilateral globus pallidus, putamen, and caudate head.

The phase shift values at bilateral putamen of MSA group were significantly lower than those of IPD group and control group (P < 0.05), while phase shift values at other locations of MSA group were not statistically different from those of other groups. The phase shift values showed no statistical difference between IPD group and control group at all regions.

Quantitative phase-weighted imaging is a useful sequence to reflect the abnormal iron accumulation in brains of patients with movement disorders and is helpful in the differential diagnosis between MSA and IPD.