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Updated: May 19, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
An evaluation of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging
1Department of Pediatric, Harran University Medical Faculty, 63100 Sanliurfa, Turkey. drabuhandan@mynet.com
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging to the diagnosis and staging of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
Material And Method:
The study comprised 26 patients diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis at our clinic who were undergoing regular follow-up, and a control group of 18 subjects. Clinical staging was determined by Risk and Haddad classification; 12 at Stage II and 14 at Stage III. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images were taken of six areas (frontal, parieto-occipital, cerebellar, deep white matter, thalamus and basal ganglia) and by calculating the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and a comparison was made between the stages and with the control group.
Results:
The ADC values of all the areas of the subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients were found to be significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While the mean ADC values of the deep white matter, basal ganglia, frontal and parieto-occipital areas of the Stage II patients were found to be significant compared to the control group (p < 0.05), there was no significance in the other areas (p > 0.05). The ADC values of all the areas of the Stage III patients were found to be significantly high compared to the Stage II values (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging can be used with other diagnostic criteria to confirm diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and to reveal differences between the stages.
