MR扩散张量成像在鉴别脑缺血性疾病与多发性硬化中的应用价值

目的 探讨MR扩散张量成像（DTI）在鉴别脑缺血性疾病与多发性硬化（MS）中的临床应用价值。方法 单侧颈内动脉狭窄程度≥70％所导致的脑缺血性疾病患者32例，临床确诊为复发缓解型MS患者18例，均行头颅MR常规及DTI横轴面扫描。测量这些患者胼胝体膝部、体前部、体后部、压部以及额叶白质、枕叶白质的各项异性分数（FA）值。结果 MS患者的FA值在胼胝体的体前部、体后部和压部分别为0．67±0．12、0．67±0．09、0．71±0．01，较脑缺血性疾病患者（分别为0．75±0．05、0．72±0．05、0．76±0．06）降低（t值分别为3．443、2．281、1．846，P值均〈0．01）；MS患者在胼胝体膝部、额叶白质和枕叶白质FA值分别为0．63±0．13、0．34±0．08、0．29±0．06，缺血性疾病患者分别为0．69±0．08、0．34±0．05、0．加±0．06，两者差异无统计学意义（t值分别为1．781、0．137、5．449，P值均〉0．05）。结论 DTI可以在活体无创性地对脑白质进行检测和评价，对鉴别脑缺血性疾病和MS有一定的临床应用价值。     

多发性硬化脑内病灶的扩散张量成像

目的研究多发性硬化(MS)的脑内病灶在磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)上的主要特征,量化分析不同时期病灶的ADC值的差异,探讨DTI在反映MS病理变化中的价值。方法应用3.0 T磁共振设备对34例MS病人行常规头颅MRI和DTI检查,根据病灶有无强化和在T1WI上的信号强度,进行急慢性期病灶的分组。分析不同时期MS病灶在DTI后处理所获得的DWI、ADC、FA图上的特征,并测量各组病灶的ADC值。结果35个急性期病灶中的33个病灶(94.3%)于DWI上呈高信号,5个环形强化病灶在DWI上亦呈环形高信号。急、慢性期病灶的ADC值均升高。慢性期病灶的ADC值明显高于急性期病灶[(12.43±3.78)×10-4 mm2/s∶(10.10±2.28)×10-4 mm2/s,P=0.001]。急性期环形强化病灶的ADC值较非环形强化病灶的高,慢性期T1WI低信号病灶的ADC值较T1WI等信号病灶的高,T1WI明显低信号病灶的ADC值最高。急、慢性期病灶的FA值均降低。FA图能够清晰显示纤维通路上的病灶和纤维束的中断,定位上明显优于常规MRI。病灶于FA图上显示的范围较常规MRI T2WI上显示的大。结论DTI可以反映MS不同时期病灶的病理变化,为观测疾病演变和评价临床疗效提供有效的指标。     

1H MR spectroscopy of the brain in multiple sclerosis subtypes with analysis of the metabolite concentrations in gray and white matter: initial findings

Many MR spectroscopy (MRS) studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) have focussed on metabolism in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and in white matter lesions (WML). In this study, eight patients suffering from primary or secondary progressive MS (PPMS/SPMS) and seven patients with relapsing/remitting MS (RRMS) were examined by ¹H-MRS to assess metabolite levels in gray matter (GM) as well. ¹H-MRS chemical-shift imaging of a cerebral volume of interest of 8×8×2 cm³ above the lateral ventricles revealed differences between the metabolite concentrations in the three groups varying from almost significant [NAWM, choline (cho); P=0.0547] to highly significant [GM, N-acetylaspartate (NAA); P=0.0003]. In PPMS/SPMS patients, the decreases in choline, creatine (Cr) and N-acetylaspartate compared with six healthy controls were significant in GM and to a lesser extent, in NAWM. No significant differences in metabolite concentrations were found between RRMS and controls. In WML, all metabolites were reduced compared with white matter in controls (Cho: P=0.0020; Cr and NAA: P<0.0001, both). In conclusion, the concentrations of Cho, Cr and NAA are reduced in PPMS/SPMS patients, especially in GM and in WML. Despite contrary observations in previous studies, increases in the concentrations of Cr and/or Cho were not observed.     

Diffusion tensor MR imaging of the cervical spinal cord in patients with multiple sclerosis

Our purpose was to evaluate the ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to characterize cervical spinal cord white matter (WM) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). DTI were obtained in 21 MS patients and 21 control subjects (CS). Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed at C2/3, C3/4, and C4/5 within the right, left, and dorsal (WM) to calculate fractional anisotropy (FA) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Measurements in plaques and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) of MS patients were compared with mean FA and ADC of WM in CS. FA was significantly lower in all regions in MS patients than in CS. ADC was significantly higher in all regions in MS patients than in CS except for in the dorsal WM at C2/3 and the bilateral WM at C4/5. The mean FA was 0.441 for plaques and 0.542 for NAWM, as compared with 0.739 in CS. The mean ADC was 0.810 × 10⁻³ mm²/s for plaques and 0.722 × 10⁻³ mm²/s for NAWM, as compared with 0.640 ×10⁻³ mm²/s for CS. FA and ADC showed significant differences between plaques, NAWM and control WM(P < 0.01).     

多发性硬化患者脑灰质损害的MRI表现及扩散张量成像定量研究

目的 分析多发性硬化(MS)患者脑灰质病灶的MRI特征及表现正常的脑灰质(NAGM)是否存在隐匿性损伤.方法 对34例临床确诊的MS患者(MS组)和25名健康志愿者(对照组)行常规头颅MRI和扩散张量成像(DTI),观察MS的脑灰质病灶特征,测量深部灰质核团的平均扩散率(ADC)和各向异性分数(FA),采用非配对t检验比较两组间是否存在差异.结果 MR检查发现MS的脑灰质病灶共83个,占全部病灶(443个)的18.7%.分布以额叶最多,其次是颞叶与丘脑.大多数病灶呈圆形或类圆形,其中T2WI发现灰质病灶60个,液体衰减反转恢复(FLAIR)序列T2WI发现病灶78个,其中71个病灶呈高或稍高信号,3个病灶呈中心低、周围稍高的环形改变,4个呈低信号.扩散加权成像(DWI)发现高信号或低信号病灶36个,其中有9个小病灶在DWI呈明显高信号.其余病灶呈等信号而不能被发现.MS组尾状核头、壳核、丘脑的ADC值分别为(8.0±0.7)、(7.4 ±0.5)、(7.7±0.4)×10-4mm2/s,均高于对照组[分别为(7.4±0.6)、(7.0 ±0.5)、(7.2±0.7)×10-4mm2/s],差异具有统计学意义(t值分别为-3.079、-2.564、-2.722,P值均<0.05).结论 MS的脑灰质病灶在常规MRI和DWI上的表现有一定的特征,FLAIR联合DWI可提高病灶的检出,DTI可以反映出NAGM内的隐匿性损害.     

多发性硬化灰质病变MRI研究进展

多发性硬化(MS)是以脱髓鞘、炎症、神经胶质过多及神经元丢失为特征的中枢神经系统的神经退化疾病,以时间上的多发性(多次发作)及空间上的多发性(多个部位发作)为特征,病因不明。MS的各个时期均存在灰质损伤并与临床功能障碍有较大的联系。新兴MRI技术能够检测灰质的病灶、微观结构损害、代谢物变化、血氧水平及灌注变化等多方面信息,为深入理解MS的发病机制、制定治疗方案以及评估预后提供大量有价值的信息,就MRI技术在MS灰质病变检测中的研究进展予以综述。     

多发性硬化的弥散加权成像

目的:应用弥散加权成像技术显示多发性硬化病灶,并探讨其对病变的诊断价值,以及相关技术参数的应用价值。方法:经临床和MRI检查确诊的MS患者28例。所有病例均行常规自旋回波(SE)、快速自旋回波(TSE)、弥散加权(DWI)成像。并对其进行以下处理:①对弥散加权成像的图像进行不同b值及ADC图的评分;②对ADC图进行病灶、病灶周围、正常脑组织的ADC值测量。对上述结果行相关统计分析。结果:①b值评分发现,b取0、1000和300、600之间的DWI图像有显著性差异(P<0.05),且后者优于前者。ADC图中(0,300)与(0,600)、(0,1000)有显著性差异(P<0.05),后两者优于前者;②ADC值分析发现,病灶与病灶周围、正常脑组织间有显著性差异(P<0.05),后两者间无显著性差异(P>0.05),但其总体均数病灶周围高于正常脑组织。结论:①MS的DWI中,其b值取300和600较佳;ADC图的b值取0和600的组合较佳;②MS患者常规MRI表现正常的白质可能存在隐匿病变。     

多发性硬化皮质脊髓束的扩散张量纤维束成像定量研究

目的利用扩散张量纤维束成像(DTT)定量研究复发-好转型多发性硬化(RRMS)患者的皮质脊髓束分数各向异性(FA)值与正常志愿者之间的差异及其与扩展病残状态评分(EDSS)的相关性。方法对36例正常志愿者和64例RRMS患者进行扩散张量成像检查,重组出皮质脊髓束,计算出该纤维束的平均FA值,比较RRMS组与对照组之间是否存在差异,研究该指标与EDSS和锥体束评分的相关性。结果正常志愿者的皮质脊髓束FA值(男:0.501±0.026,女:0.493±0.024,左侧:0.500±0.031,右侧:0.494±0.024),无性别和侧别差异(P值均>0.05)。RRMS患者皮质脊髓束的FA值(0.472±0.037)明显低于对照组(0.497±0.028),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。脑型(0.469±0.038)与脊髓型(0.476±0.035)RRMS患者的皮质脊髓束FA值之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。RRMS患者皮质脊髓束FA值与EDSS(平均3.0分)(r=-0.193,P<0.05)和锥体束评分(平均2.0分)(r=-0.218,P<0.05)存在弱相关性,其中,脑型患者的皮质脊髓束FA值与EDSS(平均3.1分)(r=-0.273,P<0.05)和锥体束评分(平均2.1分)(r=-0.268,P<0.05)的相关性较高,而在脊髓型患者的皮质脊髓束FA值与EDSS(平均2.8分)和锥体束评分(平均1.9分)均无显著相关性(r值分别为-0.080和-0.115,P值均>0.05)。结论RRMS患者皮质脊髓束的FA值存在明显异常,该指标可用作评价脑型RRMS患者的临床功能状态。     

Quantitative diffusion tensor deterministic and probabilistic fiber tractography in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Purpose

Our aim was to study the quantitative fiber tractography variations and patterns in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to assess the correlation between quantitative fiber tractography and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

Material and methods

Twenty-eight patients with RRMS and 28 age-matched healthy volunteers underwent a diffusion tensor MR imaging study. Quantitative deterministic and probabilistic fiber tractography were generated in all subjects. And mean numbers of tracked lines and fiber density were counted. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare tracked lines and fiber density in RRMS patients with those in controls. Bivariate linear regression model was used to determine the relationship between quantitative fiber tractography and EDSS in RRMS.

Results

Both deterministic and probabilistic tractography's tracked lines and fiber density in RRMS patients were less than those in controls (P < .001). Both deterministic and probabilistic tractography's tracked lines and fiber density were found negative correlations with EDSS in RRMS (P < .001). The fiber tract disruptions and reductions in RRMS were directly visualized on fiber tractography.

Conclusion

Changes of white matter tracts can be detected by quantitative diffusion tensor fiber tractography, and correlate with clinical impairment in RRMS.     

MRI及MR扩散张量成像对肌萎缩侧索硬化症的初步评价

目的　描述肌萎缩侧索硬化症 (ALS)的脑部MR影像学表现特点 ,探讨常规MR成像及MR扩散张量成像 (DTI)部分各向异性 (FA)值在本病诊断中的价值。方法　对 14例临床确诊的ALS患者和 12例正常人行MR扫描 ,其中 2例患者行增强扫描。对 10例患者及 12例正常人行DTI横轴面和冠状面扫描 ,使用自旋回波 回波平面成像 (SE EPI)序列 ,b值为 10 0 0s/mm2 ,扩散敏感梯度方向为 2 5。为定量评价锥体束 ,在内囊后肢和中脑大脑脚水平测量双侧锥体束的FA值并做统计学处理。结果　 6例患者双侧内囊后肢呈局限性T1WI略低信号及T2 WI高信号 (高于皮层信号 ) ,冠状面T2 WI可明确显示内囊后肢至大脑脚纵向连续的带状高信号影 ,符合锥体束走行 ;8例患者双侧内囊后肢呈局限性T1WI略低信号及T2 WI略高信号 (与皮层信号相等 )。 2例行增强扫描者均未见异常对比增强。 12例正常人双侧内囊后肢均呈局限性T1WI略低信号及T2 WI略高信号 (与皮层信号相等 )。病变组FA值在内囊后肢水平和中脑大脑脚水平均明显低于对照组FA值 (F =7.38,P <0 .0 1;F =7.31,P =0 .0 1)。结论　常规MR成像诊断ALS时须结合临床资料。ALS患者锥体束区域FA值的下降提示存在神经元变性及继发性脱髓鞘 ,DTI可以在活体无创性地对锥体束及其潜在病变进行检测和评价     

多发性硬化及视神经脊髓炎患者颈髓的扩散张量成像定量研究

目的 运用3.0 T MR DTI技术探讨复发-缓解型多发性硬化(RRMS)患者及复发型视神经脊髓炎(RNMO)患者颈髓结构的改变,以及与临床评分的相关性.方法 应用3.0TMR对30例RRMS(MS组)、28例RNMO患者(NMO组)及20名健康志愿者(对照组)行颈髓DTI,分别测量C2 ～6颈髓中央灰质、右侧索、左侧索和后索等部位的平均扩散率(MD)和部分各向异性分数(FA),并对各测量值和扩展残疾状况量表(EDSS)评分进行相关性分析.统计学分析采用单因素方差分析及Spearman秩相关分析等.结果 (1)3组间MD值在C3水平后索和左侧索、C4水平中央灰质和后索、C5 ～6水平各部位差异具有统计学意义(F值为4.006 ～ 36.814,P值均＜0.05),3组间FA值在各层面差异均具有统计学意义(F值为5.561 ～98.128,P值均＜0.05).(2)MS组、NMO组和对照组两两比较:MS组、NMO组较对照组MD值升高,FA值降低,差异有统计学意义(t值为-0.320～3.138,P值均＜0.05);MS组和NMO组比较,MD值的差异无统计学意义(t值为-1.183 ～0.069,P值均＞0.05);NMO组在C4水平中央灰质、后索、右侧索、左侧索FA值分别为0.57±0.09、0.56±0.11、0.54±0.10、0.57±0.09,C5水平分别为0.55 ±0.11、0.52±0.13、0.55±0.11、0.54±0.13,C6水平分别为0.54±0.10、0.54 ±0.11、0.53 ±0.13、0.52 ±0.11;相对应MS组C4水平FA值为0.67 ±0.10、0.68±0.10、0.68 ±0.10、0.70±0.12,C5水平为0.68 ±0.11、0.69 ±0.10、0.68 ±0.11、0.69 ±0.12,C6水平为0.67±0.14、0.68 ±0.15、0.69±0.14、0.69±0.16,两组间C4 ～6水平FA值差异均有统计学意义(t值为-0.011 ～0.169,P值均＜0.05).(3)除C2及C4水平侧索外,其余各层面MD值同EDSS评分呈正相关(r值为0.324 ～0.541,P值均＜0.05),FA值同EDSS评分呈明显负相关(r值为-0.632 ～-0.294,p值均＜0.05).结论 DTI定量指标对颈髓的脱髓鞘病变敏感,在鉴别MS与NMO上具有潜在的应用价值;并可作为脱髓鞘病变临床监测的重要生物学指标.     

临床孤立综合征和复发缓解型多发性硬化患者表现正常脑白质及脑灰质的MR扩散张量直方图比较

目的 评价扩散张量成像(DTI)对临床孤立综合征(CIS)的研究价值,了解CIS的病理变化机制及与复发缓解型多发性硬化(RRMS)的关系.方法 选择19例CIS患者(CIS组)、19例RRMS患者(RRMS组)和19例性别、年龄与之匹配的健康志愿者(正常对照组)为研究对象.用1.5 T超导型MR机采集数据,经图像后处理得到表现正常脑白质(NAWM),表现正常脑灰质(NAGM)的平均扩散率(MD)、各向异性分数(FA)直方图,其中提取出下列指标:平均值、直方图峰高和峰位置,进行单因素方差分析和秩和检验,并对3组NAWM、NAGM的MD、FA值与扩展残疾状态量表(EDSS)评分进行Spearman相关分析.结果 RRMS组患者表现正常脑白质MD为(0.83±0.04)×10-3mm2/s,较正常对照组(0.78±0.02)×10-3mm2/s、CIS组(0.79±0.02)×10-3mm2/s均显著增高(F=15.304,P＜0.01),但CIS组与正常对照组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);MD图峰高CIS组明显低于正常对照组(P＜0.01);RRMS组平均FA值(0.36±0.03)较正常对照组(0.41±0.01)及CIS组(0.40±0.02)均降低(F=17.965,P＜0.01),但CIS组与正常对照组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),平均FA图峰位置CIS组较正常对照组明显左移.NAGM MD在正常对照组、CIS组、RRMS组分别为(1.03±0.05)、(1.08±0.06)、(1.18±0.12)×10-3mm2/s,依次增高,且差异均有统计学意义(F=15.261,P＜0.01).CIS患者的各项DTI指标与EDSS评分均无显著性相关.RRMS患者NAGM的MD与EDSS评分呈正相关(r=0.568,P＜0.05).结论 DTI直方图可以敏感的显示及量化CIS及多发性硬化(MS)NAWM、NAGM的异常,作为MS最早期表现的CIS患者NAWM、NAGM均已发生了病理改变,但较MS病变轻.     

复发-缓解型多发性硬化投射纤维束定量DTI

目的：探讨复发-缓解型多发性硬化（RRMS）患者投射纤维定量扩散张量改变.方法：20例RRMS患者及年龄和性别相匹配的20例健康志愿者（对照组）行MRI扫描,获取常规MRI及DTI图像,分别进行测量分析,比较2组投射纤维的部分各向异性指数（FA）和平均扩散系数（MD）值的变化.主要纤维束包括丘脑前辐射（atr）、丘脑上辐射（str）、丘脑后辐射（ptr）、皮质延髓束（cpt）、皮质脊髓束（cst）等.结果：RRMS组患者与健康对照组的FA值比较：ptr（左侧：0.541±0.141 vs 0.628±0.153;右侧：0.512±0.079 vs 0.560±0.102）、cpt/atr（左侧：0.421±0.118 vs 0.503±0.104;右侧：0.437±0.064 vs 0.512±0.102）、cpt/ptr（左侧：0.405±0.056 vs 0.500±0.078;右侧：0.427±0.057 vs 0.496±0.083）、cpt/cst/str（左侧：0.476±0.115 vs 0.554±0.056;右侧：0.462±0.095 vs 0.520±0.074）,RRMS组的FA值均较健康对照组低,2组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;RRMS组患者atr的FA值（左侧：0.538±0.103,右侧：0.542±0.092）与对照组（左侧：0.564±0.087;右侧0.568±0.116）比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）.RRMS组患者与健康对照组的MD值比较：cpt/ptr（左侧：0.928±0.102 vs 0.853±0.105;右侧：0.949±0.165 vs 0.859±0.141）、cpt/cst/str（左侧：0.811±0.137 vs 0.772±0.093;右侧：0.868±0.167 vs 0.784±0.128）的MD值差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,RRMS组的MD值较健康对照组增高;RRMS组患者atr（左侧：0.898±0.143 vs 0.868±0.118;右侧：0.850±0.164 vs0.835±0.074）、ptr（左侧：0.874±0.203 vs 0.829±0.103;右侧：0.847±0.172 vs 0.802±0.075）、cpt/atr（左侧：0.856±0.187 vs 0.805±0.161;右侧：0.829±0.246 vs 0.820±0.093）的MD值和健康对照比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）.结论：多发性硬化患者双侧ptr、cpt/atr、cpt/ptr、cpt/cst/str存在FA值减小,双侧cpt/ptr、cpt/cst/str存在MD值的增高,提示在投射纤维中上述白质纤维束存在结构改变,DTI可以作为反映RRMS投射纤维微观病理改变的敏感检查指标.     

Cerebral diffusion tensor imaging in tuberous sclerosis

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the features of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in cortical tubers and white-matter lesions in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Materials and methods

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DTI were performed in 14 patients with clinically established TS. Based on these DT images, ADC and FA maps were generated. The ADC values in 32 cortical tubers, and the ADC and FA values in 18 white-matter lesions were measured and compared with those of the corresponding contralateral regions.

Results

Compared with the corresponding contralateral regions, cortical tubers of TS patients had significantly higher ADC values (P < 0.001); white-matter lesions had significantly higher ADC values (P < 0.001) and significantly lower FA values (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

DTI is a useful tool for demonstrating changes in cortical tubers and white-matter lesions resulting from TS.     

The contribution of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in multiple sclerosis during acute attack

PURPOSE: The aims of the study are firstly, to determine the difference in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) between patients with acute multiple sclerosis (MS) and controls; secondly, to determine whether there is a correlation between EDSS scores and DWI in acute plaques and also NAWM. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Out of 50 patients with acute MS attack, 35 patients had active plaques with diffuse or ring enhancement on postcontrast images. Eighteen healthy volunteers constituted the control group. While 26 of 35 had relapsing-remitting, 9 had secondary progressive MS. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) of the active plaques, NAWM at the level of centrum semiovale and occipital horn of lateral ventricle in the patients and NAWM in control group were measured. ADC values of active plaques were compared with WM of the patients and the control group. The relationship of ADC value of active plaques and WM in MS with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was investigated by using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Of 63 plaques totally, 26 and 37 of the active plaques had diffuse and ring enhancement, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between ADC value of active plaques and EDSS (p>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between ADC value of WM occipital horn and EDSS (p<0.05). ADC value of active plaques were higher than WM in both groups (p<0.001). The difference between ADC value of WM at the centrum semiovale (p<0.05) and occipital horns (p<0.001) in patients and controls was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference between EDSS scores, ADC value at centrum semiovale and WM around occipital horn and active plaques in subgroups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Apparently normal tissue in MS patients may show early abnormalities when investigated carefully enough, and there is an even though moderate correlation between EDSS and ADC values and early alterations of ADC value are starting in the occipital white matter along the ventricles. This has to be verified in larger series.     

3.0T MR扩散张量成像在脑梗死诊断中的应用

目的：探讨3.0T磁共振扩散张量成像（DTI）对脑梗死的诊断价值。方法：对75例不同时期脑梗死患者进行MRI常规检查、扩散加权成像（DWI）及DTI检查,重建平均扩散系数（DCavg）图及部分各向异性（FA）图。以T2WI与DWI图像为参照,测定各期脑梗死灶及对侧正常脑组织的平均DCavg值、平均FA值,并进行统计学处理。结果：与对侧正常脑组织相比,脑梗死平均DCavg值在超急性期及急性期显著减低（P〈0.01）,随着时间延长呈逐渐恢复升高的变化趋势;脑梗死平均FA值在超急性期无一致性变化,与对侧正常脑组织相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,可轻度升高或轻度降低,随着病程进展呈不可恢复持续减低规律。结论：联合DCavg值与FA值可对脑梗死进行更精确的临床分期,有助于及时准确了解脑梗死的病理生理改变,为临床治疗及预后判断提供依据。     

MR spectroscopy of cervical spinal cord in patients with multiple sclerosis

MR spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain in patients with multiple sclerosis has been well studied. However, in vivo MRS of the spinal cord in patients with MR spectroscopy has not been reported to our knowledge. We performed MRS of normal-appearing cervical spinal cords in multiple sclerosis patients and in healthy controls. N-acetyl aspartate was shown to be reduced within the cervical spinal cord of multiple sclerosis patients when compared with healthy controls. This finding supports axonal loss and damage within even normal-appearing spinal cords of multiple sclerosis patients.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Relationships between brain water content and diffusion tensor imaging parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy) in multiple sclerosis

Fifteen multiple sclerosis patients were examined by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to determine fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in a superventricular volume of interest of 8×8×2 cm³ containing gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) tissue. Point resolved spectroscopy 2D-chemical shift imaging of the same volume was performed without water suppression. The water contents and DTI parameters in 64 voxels of 2 cm³ were compared. The water content was increased in patients compared with controls (GM: 244±21 vs. 194±10 a.u.; WM: 245±32 vs. 190±11 a.u.), FA decreased (GM: 0.226±0.038 vs. 0.270±0.020; WM: 0.337±0.044 vs. 0.402±0.011) and ADC increased [GM: 1134±203 vs. 899±28 (×10⁻⁶ mm²/s); WM: 901±138 vs. 751±17 (×10⁻⁶ mm²/s)]. Correlations of water content with FA and ADC in WM were strong (r=−0.68, P<0.02; r=0.75; P<0.01, respectively); those in GM were weaker (r=−0.50, P<0.05; r=0.45, P<0.1, respectively). Likewise, FA and ADC were more strongly correlated in WM (r=−0.88; P<0.00001) than in GM (r=−0.69, P<0.01). The demonstrated relationship between DTI parameters and water content in multiple sclerosis patients suggests a potential for therapy monitoring in normal-appearing brain tissue.     

放射学孤立综合征的MR扩散张量成像研究

目的 应用MR DTI技术研究放射学孤立综合征(RIS)患者在常规MRI上表现正常的脑白质(NAWM)是否存在异常.方法 收集RIS患者27例(RIS组),同时选取16名年龄和性别均与RIS组相匹配的常规头颅MR检查无明显异常的健康志愿者(正常对照组),2组患者均行头颅常规MRI及DTI横断面扫描.测量受试者胼胝体膝部、体前部、体后部、压部以及额叶白质、枕叶白质的各向异性分数(FA)值、平均扩散系数(MD)值.2组之间不同区域的FA值、MD值比较采用独立样本t检验,同一研究者的2次测量值采用类内相关系数(ICC)分析.结果 同一研究者2次测量各参数基本一致,ICC值为0.934 ～0.989,显示2次测量结果的一致性较好.RIS组胼胝体膝部、体前部、体后部的FA值分别为0.705±0.040、0.632±0.042、0.628±0.043,相比于正常对照组0.738±0.045、0.675±0.042、0.666±0.045,均显著减小,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为-3.526、4.487、-3.890,P值均＜0.01);RIS组胼胝体压部、额叶和枕叶白质的FA值与正常对照组比较,差异均无统计学意义(t值分别为-1.387、-0.683、-1.243,P值均＞0.05).RIS组胼胝体膝部、体前部、体后部的MD值分别为(0.891±0.038)、(0.839±0.047)、(0.833±0.039)×10-3 mm2/s,相比于正常对照组(0.874±0.035)、(0.794±0.031)、(0.792±0.057)×10-3 mm2/s,均显著增大,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为2.101、5.836、5.146,P值均＜0.01);胼胝体压部、额叶白质和枕叶白质的MD值2组间比较差异均无统计学意义(t值分别为1.671、1.702、1.624,P值均＞0.05).结论 应用DTI技术可检测到RIS患者的NAWM存在异常.     

多发性硬化的MR扩散加权成像研究

目的：总结多发性硬化（multiple sclerosis,MS)的扩散加权成像（diffusion-weighted imaging,DWI)表现，定量研究MS病灶区水分子表观扩散系数(apparent diffusion coefficient,ADC）值、扩散各向异性指数（anisotropy index,AI)的变化规律。方法：18例218个病灶分为5组：A组为MS急性期活动性病灶9例72个病灶，B组为A组中4例治疗后随访的病例，共31个病灶，C组为缓解－复发型的缓解期静止病灶9例（115个病灶），D组取病灶对侧或邻近的正常表现白质区域(normal appearance white matter,NAWM)，共218个，E组为正常对照组18例。总结病灶在DWI与常规MRI上的表现。测量病灶及临近正常表现白质区以及正常对照组相应区的ADC、AI。结果：在DWI上，进展型MS表现为高信号（T2WI表现为水肿样高信号）。缓解－复发型的急性发作期MS表现为环形或圆形高信号病灶。缓解－复发型的缓解期病灶与白质相比表现为稍高信号。各种分型与分期的MS病灶的ADC升高，AI下降，与NAWM及正常对照组间存在明显差异（F＝26．89，P＜0．01）。AI在病程后期表现为明显下降。MS病灶在T2WI上表现为高信号。强化MS病灶的ADC值 比非强化病灶的ADC值低（t＝4．19，P＜0．01），而2组的AI值之间无显著性差异（t＝0．99，P＞0．05）。结论：DWI与常规MR相比可以提供定量的诊断信息。能够反映MS不同临床分期的病理变化。扩散定量研究在MS的诊断、鉴别诊断以及疾病预后疗效中有重要的价值。