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Comparison of 3D double inversion recovery and 2D STIR FLAIR MR sequences for the imaging of optic neuritis: pilot
Jérôme Hodel1, Olivier Outteryck, Anne-Laure Bocher
1Department of Neuroradiology, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Rue Emile Laine, 59037, Lille, France, jerome.hodel@gmail.com.
Objectives:
We compared the three-dimensional (3D) double inversion recovery (DIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence with the coronal two-dimensional (2D) short tau inversion recovery (STIR) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) for the detection of optic nerve signal abnormality in patients with optic neuritis (ON).
Methods:
The study group consisted of 31 patients with ON (44 pathological nerves) confirmed by visual-evoked potentials used as the reference. MRI examinations included 2D coronal STIR FLAIR and 3D DIR with 3-mm coronal reformats to match with STIR FLAIR. Image artefacts were graded for each portion of the optic nerves. Each set of MR images (2D STIR FLAIR, DIR reformats and multiplanar 3D DIR) was examined independently and separately for the detection of signal abnormality.
Results:
Cisternal portion of optic nerves was better delineated with DIR (p < 0.001), while artefacts impaired analysis in four patients with STIR FLAIR. Inter-observer agreement was significantly improved (p < 0.001) on 3D DIR (κ = 0.96) compared with STIR FLAIR images (κ = 0.60). Multiplanar DIR images reached the best performance for the diagnosis of ON (95% sensitive and 94% specific).
Conclusions:
Our study showed a high sensitivity and specificity of 3D DIR compared with STIR FLAIR for the detection of ON. These findings suggest that the 3D DIR sequence may be more useful in patients suspected of ON.
Key Points:
3D DIR is increasingly used in neuroradiology. Compared with STIR FLAIR, 3D DIR improves detection of optic neuritis. Multiplanar analysis had the best diagnostic performance for optic nerve signal abnormalities. Sensitivity was 95% and specificity 94%. Findings support the use of 3D DIR instead of 2D sequences.
Insights
Three-dimensional (3D) double inversion recovery (DIR) MRI offers superior detection of optic neuritis (ON) compared to 2D STIR FLAIR. This advanced sequence improves diagnostic performance for optic nerve abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Optic neuritis (ON) diagnosis relies on detecting optic nerve signal abnormalities.
- Conventional imaging techniques like 2D STIR FLAIR have limitations in visualizing the optic nerve accurately.
- Three-dimensional (3D) double inversion recovery (DIR) MRI is an emerging sequence for neuroimaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of 3D DIR MRI with 2D STIR FLAIR for detecting optic nerve signal abnormalities in patients with ON.
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance and inter-observer agreement of both MRI sequences.
Main Methods:
- A study included 31 patients with ON, confirmed by visual-evoked potentials.
- MRI examinations utilized both 2D coronal STIR FLAIR and 3D DIR sequences.
- Images were analyzed for optic nerve signal abnormalities, with artefacts graded.
Main Results:
- 3D DIR provided better delineation of the cisternal portion of the optic nerves.
- Artefacts affected STIR FLAIR analysis in some patients.
- Inter-observer agreement was significantly higher for 3D DIR (κ=0.96) compared to STIR FLAIR (κ=0.60).
Conclusions:
- 3D DIR MRI demonstrates high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (94%) for diagnosing ON.
- The 3D DIR sequence, particularly with multiplanar analysis, offers improved diagnostic performance over 2D STIR FLAIR.
- Findings support the adoption of 3D DIR sequences for evaluating suspected ON.
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