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Diffusion tensor imaging applications in multiple sclerosis patients using 3T magnetic resonance: a preliminary study

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Abstract

Objectives

This study evaluated patients with multiple sclerosis using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values.

Methods

We investigated the possible statistically significant variation of MD and FA in different MS patients, compared simultaneously, putting in comparison their normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and white matter affected by disease (plaques), both during activity and in remission, with normal white matter (NWM) of control subjects.

Results

Statistical analysis using Levene’s test for comparison of variances revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences between FA values of the NWM of the controls and those of NAWM and active or inactive lesions, of the patients in the study. However, the differences between MD values of the NWM of the controls and those of NAWM and active or inactive lesions of the patients in the study were judged not significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Imaging of MS using MRI techniques is constantly searching for reproducible quantitative parameter. This study shows how these parameters can be identified in the MD and FA values, and thus suggests the implementation of MRI routine protocols for diagnosing MS with the DTI analysis, since it can provide valuable information otherwise unobtainable.

Key Points

  • Magnetic resonance imaging is widely performed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients

  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be implemented using a 3T magnet

  • DTI provides quantitative parameters as mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA)

  • MD and, especially, FA can help evaluate the lesion load in MS patients and also assess variation in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in MS

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiological Sciences, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Lorenzo Testaverde, Laura Caporali & Claudio Colonnese

  2. I.R.C.C.S. “Neuromed”, U.O.C. Neuroradiologia, Pozzilli (IS), Italy

    Eugenio Venditti, Giovanni Grillea & Claudio Colonnese

  3. Via Aprilia 41, Latina, 04100, Italy

    Lorenzo Testaverde

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  1. Lorenzo Testaverde
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  2. Laura Caporali
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  3. Eugenio Venditti
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  4. Giovanni Grillea
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  5. Claudio Colonnese
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Correspondence to Lorenzo Testaverde.

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Testaverde, L., Caporali, L., Venditti, E. et al. Diffusion tensor imaging applications in multiple sclerosis patients using 3T magnetic resonance: a preliminary study. Eur Radiol 22, 990–997 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2342-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2342-9

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