Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of treatment in multiple sclerosis

Summary Magnetic resonance scans of 74 patients with multiple sclerosis participating in a controlled trial were compared 6 months before and at the end of a 24–32 months-treatment period with either Cyclosporin A (n=31) or Azathioprine (n=43). Both qualitative rating and computation of lesion volume showed deterioration in more than 40% of the patients, while by clinical criteria only 10–30% were worse. No significant difference was noted when the two treatment groups were compared. If careful repositioning and standardized image parameters are used, MRI is an indispensable tool for the objective determination of disease progression in MS although it cannot replace clinical examination.     

FLAIR imaging for multiple sclerosis: a comparative MR study at 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla

The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the optimal TE for FLAIR-imaging at 3.0 T assessing three different echo times qualitatively and quantitatively and (2) to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of high-field 3.0-T FLAIR imaging in comparison to conventional 1.5-T MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty-two patients with clinically definite MS underwent axial FLAIR imaging at 1.5 and 3.0 T. In 15 of these patients further FLAIR images with a TE of 100, 120 and 140 ms were acquired at 3.0 T. Imaging protocols were modified for 3.0 T using the increased SNR to acquire more and thinner slices while maintaining a comparable scan time. FLAIR images of either different TEs or different field strengths were ranked for each patient qualitatively by two observers. Signal intensity measurements were obtained in the gray and white matter, CSF and representative white matter lesions (WML). At 3.0 T, a TE of 100 and 120 ms proved superior in all qualitative categories when compared to 140 ms. In the quantitative assessment CNR of WML was highest for 120 ms (CNR: 19.8), intermediate for 100 ms (17.2) and lowest for 140 ms (15.3) (P<0.003). For lesion conspicuity and overall image quality, 3.0 T was judged superior to 1.5 T, whereas no difference was found for gray-white differentiation and image noise. With regard to artifacts, 3.0 T was inferior to 1.5 T. The CNR for WML was slightly lower at 3.0 T, but the difference was not significant (22.6 vs. 28.0, P=ns). However, significantly more WML were detected at 3.0 T than at 1.5 T (483 vs. 341, P<0.0001). The optimal echo time for FLAIR imaging at 3.0 T is 120 ms due to the significantly higher CNR of WML. By trading the higher SNR at 3.0 T for better spatial resolution, nearly the same CNR level could be maintained, increasing lesion detectability at 3.0 T compared to 1.5 T. Thus, high-field MRI may further strengthen the role of MRI as the most sensitive paraclinical test for the early diagnosis of MS.     

Isotropic 3D fast FLAIR imaging of the brain in multiple sclerosis patients: initial experience

The application of image registration and subtraction to detect change in multiple sclerosis (MS) disease burden on serial MR scans benefits from the use of isotropic voxels. An optimised 3D fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence with 1.2- and 1.8-mm cubic voxels was compared with a 2D T2 SE sequence using standard 3-mm slices. Three-dimensional fast FLAIR and T2 SE series were obtained in 20 MS patients and 15 controls. Whole brain acquisition times for the 1.2- and 1.8-mm FLAIR were 21 and 10.5 min, respectively, for the interleaved T2 SE 16 min. Brain lesions were marked in consensus by two radiologists and the CNR was calculated in ten lesions. The mean number of lesions detected with the 1.2-mm FLAIR sequence was 115 +/- 76, compared with 85 +/- 59 for the T2 SE series ( p<0.001). The 1.8-mm FLAIR detected only 73 +/- 46 lesions. The CNR of the 1.2-mm FLAIR was significantly better than the T2 SE ( p<0.01), but not as good as the 1.8-mm FLAIR. In conclusion, isotropic 3D fast FLAIR using 1.2-mm cubic voxels is superior to the 2D T2 SE in the detection of brain lesions in MS patients. The isotropic 1.8-mm FLAIR is faster and has better contrast characteristics but lacks sensitivity.     

多发性硬化白质脱髓鞘斑块的磁敏感加权成像及动态磁敏感增强灌注成像研究

目的 探讨多发性硬化(MS)脱髓鞘斑块的磁敏感加权成像(SWI)特征表现、MS斑块形态及微循环的演变过程.方法 对31例临床确诊的MS患者进行MR检查,扫描序列包括T2WI、液体衰减反转恢复(FLAIR)序列T2WI、T1WI及SWI.其巾21例进行了MRI随访,间隔时间为2.0～20.0个月,并且15例随访患者在第2次MR检查时行动态磁敏感增强灌注成像DSC-PI).观察MS斑块在"滤过"后相位图(FPI)的特征,测量斑块相位值和灌注参数.包括脑血流量(CBF)和脑血容量(CBV),并动态分析其演变规律.不同序列检测出的斑块个数采用配对t检验进行对照分析;采用Pearson相关分析法评价斑块相位值与灌注参数的相关性.结果 在FPI上,全部患者298个MS斑块呈3种表现:(1)低信号灶,无小血管穿行(109个,37%);(2)低信号灶,有小血管穿行(169个,57%);(3)病灶区仪有"异常血管区"而无明显信号降低(20个,7%).21例随诊病例中,前后2次检查经FLAIR T2WI检出的斑块总数及均数分别为452(22±8)、439(21±7)个,T1WI检出的斑块数分别为205(10±3)、206(10±-3)个,SWI检出的斑块数分别为211(10±3)、219(10±3)个,FLAIR T2WI检出的病灶均数减少(t=2.28,P=0.03),FPI检出的病灶均数增加(t=-2.61,P=0.02),而T1WI检出的病灶均数无明显变化(t=-1.00,P=0.33).21例随访患者中,6例发现有9个脱髓鞘斑块从仪表现为异常血管区演变到出现明确的低信号灶,其相位值变化(-0.031±0.012)与CBF值的变化[(-13.92±7.99)ml·100 g-1·min-1]以及CBV值的变化[(-2.54±1.33)ml·100 g-1]具有负相关(r值分别为-0.73、-0.84,P值均<0.05).结论 SWI相位图上低信号伴有小静脉穿行是MS脱髓鞘斑块的特征性表现;联合运用SWI和DSC-PI有助于进一步理解MS斑块的病理生理演变机制,并监测病情演变.

Abstract：

Objective To identify the imaging characteristics of demyelinating plaques in multiple sclerosis (MS) by using susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI),and further explore their morphologic and inicro-hemodynamic evolvements.Methods Thirty-one cases with clinically proven MS received SWI and dynamical susceptibility contrasted MR perfusion imaging(DSC-PI).And 21 cases received MR again in the fbllow-up period,with a time interval of 2.0-20.0 months[mean(7.5±4.8)months].Features of MS plaques in filtered phase images(FPI)were assessed,and the number of MS plaques detected in T1 WI,T2 FLAIR and FPI images were counted respectively.The measurements of phase values and perfusion parameters(including CBF and CBV)were acquired and their variation over time was also evaluated.The number of plaques detected by different MR sequences was compared by using paired t test,and the correlation between phase values and perfusion parameters was evaluated by using Pearson correlative analysis.Results Three types of MS plaques were observed in FPI images,including(1) round or oval hypointense foci without small veins(109 of 298,37%),(2)hypointense foci with small veins(169 of 298, 57% ), (3) abnormal vessels alone without hypointense foci (20 of 298, 7% ). In the 21 cases received MR follow-up, the total and mean plaque numbers identified on T2 FLAIR images were 452 and (22±8) in the first MR examination, and 439 and (21±7)in the second MR examination; and on T1-weithed images, they were 211 and( 10±3 ) in the first MR examination, and 219 and( 10±3 ) in the second MR examination; as well as those on FPI images were 205 and ( 10±3), and 206 and(10±3),respectively. Compared between the first and second MR scan, the mean of number on T2 FLAIR images decreased (t= 2. 28, P= 0. 03 ), and that on FPI images increased( t = -2. 61, P = 0. 02 ), and then that onT1-weight images keep invariable ( t = - 1. 00, P = 0. 33 ). Moreover, a development from regions with "abnormal vessels" alone to hypointense foci were observed in 9 plaques from 6 folh,w-up cases. The changes of phase values of these 9 plaques were significant correlated with CBF' and CBV (r = -0. 73 ,P <0. 05 ;r = -0. 84, P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions Hypointense focus with or without small veins on FPI image is the characteristic manifestation of MS plaques. Combination of SWI and DSC-PI is helpful in further understanding the patho-physiological mechanism of MS plaques and monitoring the evolvement of them.     

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。     

多发性硬化的MRI研究进展

多发性硬化（MS）是一种以中枢神经系统白质内多发脱髓鞘病灶与病程反复、交替缓解复发为主要特点的神经退行性疾病。MS临床表现具有非特异性,且常规MRI对其诊断有一定限度,而多种MRI新技术可以从影像上发现MS微小病灶、灰质病灶、软脑膜炎性反应,甚至可以探测表观正常的灰白质改变,对揭示MS病程演变中不同病理特征的改变、预测神经功能、行为改变等具有重要意义。就双反转恢复（DIR）成像、相位差强化成像（PADRE）、对比增强液体衰减反转恢复（CE-FLAIR）成像、MR波谱成像、扩散张量成像、功能MRI等新技术在MS中的应用进展作一概述。      

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).     

Atypical idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating lesions (IIDL): Conventional and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) findings in 42 cases

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate MR imaging characteristics with conventional and advanced MR imaging techniques in patients with IIDL.

Methods

MR images of the brain in 42 patients (20 male, 22 female) with suspected or known multiple sclerosis (MS) from four institutions were retrospectively analyzed. Lesions were classified into five different subtypes: (1) ring-like lesions; (2) Balo-like lesions; (3) diffuse infiltrating lesions; (4) megacystic lesions; and (5) unclassified lesions.The location, size, margins, and signal intensities on T1WI, T2WI, and diffusion-weighted images (DWI), and the ADC values/ratios for all lesions, as well as the contrast enhancement pattern, and the presence of edema, were recorded.

Results

There were 30 ring-like, 10 Balo-like, 3 megacystic-like and 16 diffuse infiltrating-like lesions were detected. Three lesions were categorized as unclassified lesions.Of the 30 ring-like lesions, 23 were hypointense centrally with a hyperintense rim. The mean ADC, measured centrally, was 1.50 ± 0.41 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. The mean ADC in the non-enhancing layers of the Balo-like lesions was 2.29 ± 0.17 × 10⁻³ mm²/s, and the mean ADC in enhancing layers was 1.03 ± 0.30 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. Megacystic lesions had a mean ADC of 2.14 ± 0.26 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. Peripheral strong enhancement with high signal on DWI was present in all diffuse infiltrating lesions. Unclassified lesions showed a mean ADC of 1.43 ± 0.13 mm²/s.

Conclusion

Restriction of diffusion will be seen in the outer layers of active inflammation/demyelination in Balo-like lesions, in the enhancing part of ring-like lesions, and at the periphery of infiltrative-type lesions.     

Digital subtraction in gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging of the brain: a method to reduce contrast dosage

The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of using digital subtraction in contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the brain to reduce the MR contrast dosage without jeopardizing patient care. Fifty-two patients with intracranial lesions, either intra-axial or extra-axial, detected by computerized tomography were selected for contrast-enhanced MR imaging with half-dose and full-dose of gadopentetate dimeglumine. The half-dose unsubtracted, full-dose unsubtracted, and half-dose subtracted MR images were visually assessed by counting the number of enhancing brain lesions in the images and quantitatively analyzed by computing their lesion contrast-to-background ratios (CBR). The visual conspicuity of the half-dose subtracted MR images was comparable to that of the full-dose unsubtracted MR images ( p>0.05), whereas the CBR of the half-dose subtracted images was approximately two to three times higher than that of the full-dose unsubtracted images. The half-dose subtracted T1-weighted spin-echo images might be able to replace the conventional standard-dose T1-weighted spin-echo images in MR imaging of the brain.     

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。     

A reproducible repositioning method for serial magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain in treatment trials for multiple sclerosis

Serial MRI is an important measure of disease progression in evaluating the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Accurate comparisons of scans for lesion activity and lesion volume require precise repositioning of patients. A simple, reproducible repositioning method is described. In a multicenter treatment trial of MS using β-interferon-1b, this method has been successful, with only 1.1% of scans being rejected because of poor repositioning.     

MR spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetisation transfer imaging (MTI), lesion load and clinical scores in early relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: a combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study

The purpose of this study was to correlate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based lesion load assessment with clinical disability in early relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Seventeen untreated patients (ten women, seven men; mean age 33.0 ± 7.9 years) with the initial diagnosis of RRMS were included for cross-sectional as well as longitudinal (24 months) clinical and MRI-based assessment in comparison with age-matched healthy controls. Conventional MR sequences, MR spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetisation transfer imaging (MTI) were performed at 1.5 T. Lesion number and volume, MRS and MTI measurements for lesions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM) were correlated to clinical scores [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC)] for monitoring disease course after treatment initiation (interferon β-1a). MTI and MRS detected changes [magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR), N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine ratio] in NAWM over time. EDSS and lesional MTR increases correlated throughout the disease course. Average MTR of NAWM raised during the study (p < 0.05) and correlated to the MSFC score (r = 0.476, p < 0.001). At study termination, NAA/creatine ratio of NAWM correlated to the MSFC score (p < 0.05). MTI and MRS were useful for initial disease assessment in NAWM. MTI and MRS correlated with clinical scores, indicating potential for monitoring the disease course and gaining new insights into treatment-related effects. J. Bellmann-Strobl, H. Stiepani and J. Wuerfel contributed equally to this work.     

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。     

MR multispectral analysis of multiple sclerosis lesions

Although quantification of the lesion burden from serial MR examinations of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common technique to assess disease activity in clinical trials, pathologic change may occur within a lesion without a corresponding change in volume. Therefore, measures of lesion volume and composition may improve the sensitivity of detecting disease activity. A new technique has been developed that provides information about the intensity composition of MS lesions in standard spin-echo MR examinations. The new technique is based on the multispectral “feature space” intensity distributions of the lesions and normal tissues. Analysis of MR examinations of materials with known T1 and T2 times showed that feature space position from spin-echo examinations is largely determined from proton density (ρ), T2, and the interecho delay. Information about intensity composition was obtained by reducing the multidimensional intensity distribution to one dimension while minimizing the loss of information. This technique was used to analyze eight lesions in standard spin-echo MR examinations of three patients with MS. Lesion distributions were compared between examinations by first calibrating the examinations based on the intensity distributions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), an internal reference tissue. Many of the lesion distributions had a distinctive peak at low intensity, corresponding to normal-appearing white matter (WM). Within the lesion distributions, increases in high intensity peaks generally were accompanied by reductions in the WM peak. Serial analysis of the lesion distributions revealed some dramatic fluctuations, even when lesion volume remained constant.     

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。     

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.     

Correlation of spectroscopy and magnetization transfer imaging in the evaluation of demyelinating lesions and normal appearing white matter in multiple sclerosis

Magnetization transfer imaging (MT) and localized proton spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) were utilized in the evaluation of lesioins (high signal abnormalities on T₂-weighted images) and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in multiple sclerosis (MI). Eleven patients with a clinical diagnosis of MS were independently evaluated with both ¹H-MRS and MT. The magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) of lesions was compared with the relative concentration of Kacetyl-aspartate (NAA) and a composite peak at 2.1 to 2.6 ppm termed “marker peaks”. The MTR of white matter lesions in the MS patients was markedly decreased (6–34%; normal ≈?42%), and correlated well with increase in the marker peaks region (0.94–3.89). There was no correlation between the relative concentration of NAA and MTR. Increased resonance peaks in the 2.1 to 2.6 ppm range and marked decreases in MTR may be a relatively specific indicators of demyelination.     

Health technology assessment on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndromes (CIS)

This work is the result of a health technology assessment for the Flemish regional government, Belgium, performed in 2006. A search of the available literature in the databases Medline and EMBASE was performed to find evidence for a rational choice between CT and MRI techniques in the work-up of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) with a suspicion for multiple sclerosis (MS), and in follow-up exams performed in such patients. From the presented evidence, in patients referred for CIS or MS, MR is superior to CT for detection and characterization of brain and spine lesions.     

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.     

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。