Abstract
Objective: To compare diffusion characteristics of MS lesions, normal- appearing white matter (NAWM) from patients, and normal white matter from control subjects, and to investigate the correlations between the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and a directionally averaged tissue water diffusion coefficient (D) in patients. Background: MS and other pathologic processes that modify tissue integrity can result in abnormal diffusion of water molecules detectable by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Methods: Conventional dual-echo and DWI scans were obtained from 35 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 24 healthy control subjects. MT scans were also obtained from the patients. After coregistration of all scans, MTR and D values from MS lesions and NAWM in different regions were marked using the dual-echo scans as a reference. D values from the same brain regions in control subjects were acquired. Histograms of MTR and D were also produced. Results: Patients with MS had significantly higher D values in all the areas studied. Moreover, histogram metrics (peak height, peak site, and average D) from patients were substantially different from those of control subjects. In patients, average lesion D and MTR were markedly different from those in the NAWM. There was an inverse correlation between average lesion MTR and D inside lesions, whereas no correlation was found for average MTR and D taken from the histograms. Conclusions: DWI detects severe tissue disruption inside lesions and subtle widespread abnormalities in NAWM in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. MT and DWI may provide information about different aspects of brain pathology in MS.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1139-1144 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Neurology |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 14 2000 |
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Keywords
- Diffusion-weighted imaging
- Magnetization transfer imaging
- Multiple sclerosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
Pathologic damage in MS assessed by diffusion-weighted and magnetization transfer MRI. / Cercignani, M.; Iannucci, G.; Rocca, M. A.; Comi, G.; Horsfield, M. A.; Filippi, M.
In: Neurology, Vol. 54, No. 5, 14.03.2000, p. 1139-1144.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Pathologic damage in MS assessed by diffusion-weighted and magnetization transfer MRI
AU - Cercignani, M.
AU - Iannucci, G.
AU - Rocca, M. A.
AU - Comi, G.
AU - Horsfield, M. A.
AU - Filippi, M.
PY - 2000/3/14
Y1 - 2000/3/14
N2 - Objective: To compare diffusion characteristics of MS lesions, normal- appearing white matter (NAWM) from patients, and normal white matter from control subjects, and to investigate the correlations between the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and a directionally averaged tissue water diffusion coefficient (D) in patients. Background: MS and other pathologic processes that modify tissue integrity can result in abnormal diffusion of water molecules detectable by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Methods: Conventional dual-echo and DWI scans were obtained from 35 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 24 healthy control subjects. MT scans were also obtained from the patients. After coregistration of all scans, MTR and D values from MS lesions and NAWM in different regions were marked using the dual-echo scans as a reference. D values from the same brain regions in control subjects were acquired. Histograms of MTR and D were also produced. Results: Patients with MS had significantly higher D values in all the areas studied. Moreover, histogram metrics (peak height, peak site, and average D) from patients were substantially different from those of control subjects. In patients, average lesion D and MTR were markedly different from those in the NAWM. There was an inverse correlation between average lesion MTR and D inside lesions, whereas no correlation was found for average MTR and D taken from the histograms. Conclusions: DWI detects severe tissue disruption inside lesions and subtle widespread abnormalities in NAWM in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. MT and DWI may provide information about different aspects of brain pathology in MS.
AB - Objective: To compare diffusion characteristics of MS lesions, normal- appearing white matter (NAWM) from patients, and normal white matter from control subjects, and to investigate the correlations between the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and a directionally averaged tissue water diffusion coefficient (D) in patients. Background: MS and other pathologic processes that modify tissue integrity can result in abnormal diffusion of water molecules detectable by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Methods: Conventional dual-echo and DWI scans were obtained from 35 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 24 healthy control subjects. MT scans were also obtained from the patients. After coregistration of all scans, MTR and D values from MS lesions and NAWM in different regions were marked using the dual-echo scans as a reference. D values from the same brain regions in control subjects were acquired. Histograms of MTR and D were also produced. Results: Patients with MS had significantly higher D values in all the areas studied. Moreover, histogram metrics (peak height, peak site, and average D) from patients were substantially different from those of control subjects. In patients, average lesion D and MTR were markedly different from those in the NAWM. There was an inverse correlation between average lesion MTR and D inside lesions, whereas no correlation was found for average MTR and D taken from the histograms. Conclusions: DWI detects severe tissue disruption inside lesions and subtle widespread abnormalities in NAWM in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. MT and DWI may provide information about different aspects of brain pathology in MS.
KW - Diffusion-weighted imaging
KW - Magnetization transfer imaging
KW - Multiple sclerosis
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0034646345&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 10720288
AN - SCOPUS:0034646345
VL - 54
SP - 1139
EP - 1144
JO - Neurology
JF - Neurology
SN - 0028-3878
IS - 5
ER -