American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:2371-2377, October 2005
© 2005 American Society of Neuroradiology
PEDIATRICS
A Quantitative MR Imaging Assessment of Leukoencephalopathy in Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia without Irradiation
a Division of Translational Imaging Research, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
b Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
c Department of Hematology/Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
d Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
e Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
f Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Address correspondence to Wilburn E. Reddick, PhD, Division of Translational Imaging Research (MS #212), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN 38105-2794
PURPOSE: Intravenous methotrexate (IV-MTX), an effective treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), has a significant toxic effect on the central nervous system, with leukoencephalopathy (LE) being the most common form. The purpose of this study was to use objective quantitative MR imaging to prospectively assess the temporal evolution of LE extent and intensity.
METHODS: Forty-five children (low-risk, 10 mol/L/12F; mean age, 5.0 years at diagnosis; standard/high-risk, 11 mol/L/12F; mean age, 9.2 years at diagnosis) treated for ALL on a single institutional protocol were evaluated longitudinally to assess the extent of LE (proportion of white matter impacted) through tissue segmentation and the relative intensity of LE through relative elevations in T1 and T2 relaxation rates. One-sided Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests were used to assess differences in quantitative measures at 4 different points in therapy both within and between risk arms.
RESULTS: The proportion of white matter affected in both patient groups increased significantly with additional courses of IV-MTX, whereas the intensity of LE also increased steadily; however, both the intensity and extent of LE declined significantly 
1.5 years after completion of IV-MTX. Increases in the T1 and T2 relaxation rates above normal-appearing white matter were significantly correlated with each other and were dependent on the proportion of white matter affected.
CONCLUSION: Higher doses and more courses of IV-MTX were associated with increased intensity and extent of LE. There was a significant reduction in both the intensity and extent of LE after completion of therapy. The impact of these changes on neurocognitive functioning and quality of life in survivors remains to be determined.
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