脑组织ADC值定量研究的影响因素分析

目的:探讨不同的MR成像技术对脑组织近似弥散系数(ADC)定量的影响.材料和方法:使用5种不同的弥散敏感系数(b值)(b=500、1 000、1 500、2 000、3 000s/mm2)在3T MR上对17名志愿者进行颅脑弥散加权成像(DWI)以及b=1 000s/mm2下的液体翻转衰减恢复弥散加权成像(FLAIR-DWI);其中10名志愿者完成3TMR检查后,再用1.5T MR进行b=1 000s/mm2的颅脑弥散加权成像.获得ADC图后,分别测量两侧半卵圆中心、扣带回、丘脑、胼胝体膝部、胼胝体压部及侧脑室体部的ADC值,并进行统计学分析.结果:b值的增加使脑组织的ADC值显著下降,FLAIR可以明显降低脑脊液对ADC值测量的污染;不同MR扫描仪对ADC值的定量无显著影响.结论:DWI参数的选择对ADC值的测量有着显著的影响,尤其是b值,最佳的b值应该为1 000s/mm2,因而在研究中必须始终保持扫描参数的一致;DWI前施加FLAIR抑止脑脊液信号明显减轻了脑脊液部分容积效应对ADC值测量的影响,这对于脑萎缩患者的ADC值测量有着十分重要的价值;同一厂家生产的不同场强的MR成像系统对ADC值定量研究无显著影响.     

正常腹部实质脏器磁共振弥散加权成像ADC值和b值研究

目的:探讨PHILIPSGyroscanIntera1.5TMRI成像仪正常腹部实质脏器表观弥散系数(ADC)值范围并研究适合本扫描仪腹部弥散加权成像的最佳b值。材料和方法:对30例健康志愿者行磁共振弥散加权成像。在ADC图上直接测量ADC值。结果:所有检查均一次成功得到弥散加权成像(DWI)和ADC图。正常肝脏、胰腺、肾脏、脾脏在b值分别为300、1000、1500s/mm2时的ADC值分别为(10-3mm2/s)1.520±0.169、1.937±0.370、2.632±0.258、1.163±0.188,1.200±0.132、1.484±0.272、2.016±0.178、0.840±0.117,1.068±0.118、1.321±0.149、1.659±0.169、0.747±0.102。不同b值时同一脏器ADC值有统计学差异;四种实质性脏器在同一b值时ADC值有统计学差异。结论:正常腹部不同脏器的ADC值有明显差异。腹部弥散加权成像的b值为300s/mm2和1000s/mm2时,DWI和ADC图像可以互相补充。     

正常成人肾脏磁共振扩散加权成像研究

目的 通过测量正常成人肾脏磁共振扩散加权成像(DWI)时的表观弥散系数(ADC)值,为肾脏病变患者在DWI成像时提供正常对照标准.资料与方法 20例健康志愿者均行MRI常规平扫及DWI成像,DWI成像时b值分别采用0s/mm2、200s/mm2、500s/mm2、800s/mm2、1000s/mm2.结果 不同b值下双侧肾脏皮髓质ADC值及双侧肾脏平均ADC值差异有统计学意义(F=57.863～240.324,P=0.000),双侧肾脏皮髓质ADC值及平均ADC值均高于肝、脾及胰腺ADC值.双侧肾脏皮质在不同b值下的ADC值均高于髓质,差异有统计学意义(t=8.436～20.281,P=0.000).左侧肾脏皮、髓质ADC值及平均ADC值在b=500s/mm2、b=800s/mm2及1000s/mm2时均高于右侧,差异有统计学意义(b=800s/mm2时t=2.023,P=0.048;其余P=0.000).b=200s/mm2时双侧肾脏皮、髓质ADC值及平均ADC值之间差异无统计学意义(t=1.739,P=0.098;t=0.704,P=0.490;t=-0.314,P=0.757).结论 正常成人肾脏ADC值在不同b值下有差异,双侧肾脏平均ADC值亦存在差异.     

正常膝关节周围肌肉DTI纤维示踪成像b值探讨

目的探讨膝关节周围肌肉DTI成像的最佳b值及相关参数。方法选取15例健康志愿者,男7例,女8例,年龄20～30岁,平均年龄25岁,行膝关节常规MR检查包括冠状T1WI、FS-T2WI,矢状位T2WI、PDWI及轴位T1WI,DTI(b值分别为400,500,700s/mm2)检查,重建出ADC图,eADC图,FA图及FA彩色编码图,通过DTI纤维示踪(fiber tracking)显示膝关节周围肌肉纤维束连续性和走行方向,分析比较不同b值情况下同一块肌肉肌纤维成像的清晰度与完整性,选择肌肉成像的最佳b值,并测量最佳b值时不同肌肉的ADC值、eADC值及FA值,分析不同肌肉同一b值的DTI参数有无差异。结果不同b值在同一块肌肉中成像质量有统计学差异,b值为500s/mm2的肌肉成像质量优于b值为400s/mm2,700s/mm2时的肌肉成像质量;b值为500s/mm2时不同肌肉的ADC值、eADC值及FA值无明显统计学差异。结论肌肉DTI成像最佳b值为500s/mm2,此时不同肌肉DTI参数无明显统计学差异。     

大脑白质纤维磁共振弥散张量成像扫描参数研究

目的：探讨不同的磁共振弥散张量成像（diffusion tensor imaging,DTI）扫描参数对大脑白质纤维弥散张量图像的影响,以期获得最佳的扫描参数。方法：21例正常志愿者（男11例,女10例;年龄16-63岁,平均38.7岁）参加了该项研究。随机分为3组：b值组、弥散敏感梯度方向组和层厚/层间距组。各组分别应用不同的DTI扫描参数,第1组b值组：可变参数是b值,分别为300、1 000、3 000 s/mm^2mm,不变参数是：层厚/层间距5 mm/0 mm,弥散敏感梯度方向数21。第2组弥散敏感梯度方向组：可变参数是弥散敏感梯度方向数,分别为6、13、21,不变参数是：层厚/层间距5 mm/0 mm,b值为1 000 s/mm^2。第3组层厚/层间距组,可变参数是层厚/层间距,分别为8 mm/2 mm5、mm/0 mm、3.5 mm/0 mm,不变参数是：b值为1 000 s/mm^2,弥散敏感梯度方向数为21。将所成FA图像和DEC图分为3个不同的等级,进行评价。结果：不同的扫描参数所成大脑白质纤维弥散张量图像的质量是不相同的。在b值组,以低b值所成图像较佳,其中以b值=1 000 s/mm^2为最佳,而高b值所成图像噪声较大。施加的弥散敏感梯度方向数并非越多越好,13个方向与21个方向所成图像没有明显差别,6个方向所成图像质量较差。层厚/层间距对图像的影响最大,层厚越厚,图像的信噪比越大。结论：在临床工作中,比较实用的大脑白质纤维弥散张量成像扫描参数为：b值=1 000 s/mm^2,弥散敏感梯度方向数为13,层厚/层间距为5 mm/0 mm。     

兔肝缺血/再灌注损伤DWI及与肝损伤关系的研究

目的:观察兔部分肝脏缺血/再灌注损伤(I/R)磁共振弥散加权成像(MR-DWI)表面扩散系数(ADC)的演变规律,分析其与肝酶(ALT、ALP)相关性.方法:新西兰大白兔阻断肝左叶血供60min后,恢复血供,按再灌注时间分为6h、12h I/R组及假手术对照组即sham组(每组6只,共计18只),DWl成像b值分别选取20s/mm2、50s/mm2、100s/mm2、300s/mm2和600s/mm2.同时行T2WI、T1 WI扫描、组织病理学和肝生化AST、ALT检查.结果:各I/R组ADC低十sham组,其中在b=20s/mm2、50s/mm2、100s/mm2时,6h组ADC明显低于sham组(P<0.05).在b=300s/mm2、600s/mm2时,6h、12h I/R组ADC与sham组之间均无统计学差异(P>0.05).各I/R血清AIJT、ALP明显高于sham组(P<0.05).b=20s/mm250s/mm2、100s/mm2时,ALT与ADC存在显著负相关(r＝-0.497,P<0.05;r=-0.623,P<0.05;r=-0.671,P<0.01);b=20s/mm2、100s/mm2,AD(:与分别与ALP也存在相关性(r=-0.578,P<0.05;r=-0.489,P<0.05).结论:采用较小b值弥散成像(DWI)能够动态监测肝I/R病理发展过程,ADC值可以作为榆测肝脏损伤的敏感指标.     

MR弥散加权成像在子宫内膜良恶性病变中的鉴别价值

目的 探讨MR弥散加权成像(DWI)及其表观弥散系数(ADC)在子宫内膜良恶性病变中的鉴别价值.方法 回顾性分析55例经病理证实的子宫内膜病变,其中良性组14例(6例内膜增生、8例内膜息肉),恶性组41例(39例内膜癌、2例癌肉瘤).所有病例行常规MRI平扫和增强检查,以及DWI(弥散敏感因子b值为0、1000s/mm2),分析病变的DWI信号特点和测定ADC值.结果 良性组DWI图12例表现为稍高信号、2例表现为等信号、平均ADC值为(1.34±0.19)×103mm2/s;恶性组DWI图34例表现为明显高信号,余下7例表现为稍高信号,平均ADC值为(0.84±0.14)×103 mm2/s;恶性组ADC值明显小于良性组(P=0.042),以1.07×103 mm2/s为临界值诊断子宫内膜良恶性病变的敏感性、特异性、准确性高达92.9％、97.6％、96.4％.结论 DWI及ADC值测定有助于子宫内膜良恶性病变的鉴别诊断.     

ADC值在星形细胞肿瘤诊断中的应用价值初探

目的 :评价近似弥散系数(ADC)在鉴别星形细胞肿瘤、瘤周水肿及正常组织中的作用 ,以及对星形细胞肿瘤良、恶性评估中的价值。材料和方法 :采用GE1.5T超导MR成像系统 ,对17例1～2级星形细胞肿瘤及13例3～4级星形细胞肿瘤进行了常规MRI及EPI弥散加权成像 ,弥散敏感系数(b值) :b=0s/mm2 及b=1000s/mm2,测量了病变感兴趣区的ADC值。结果 :肿瘤组织的ADC值(1.23±0.52mm2/s)及瘤周水肿(1.40±0.40mm2/s)与正常组织(0.76±0.09mm2/s)相比均有显著性差异(p<0.01) ,而肿瘤组织与瘤周水肿之间无显著性差异(p>0.05) ;低度恶性星形细胞肿瘤与3～4级星形细胞肿瘤之间ADC值有显著性差异(p<0.05)。结论 :ADC值有助于鉴别肿瘤组织与正常组织 ,但不能用于鉴别肿瘤组织与瘤周水肿 ,对于单个病例ADC值有部分重叠。结合常规MRI则ADC值在星形细胞肿瘤良、恶性诊断中有一定价值。     

乳腺肿瘤弥散系数与分子生物学相关性研究

目的:探讨乳腺良恶性病变磁共振弥散成像与分子生物学之间的相关性。材料和方法:对36例原发性乳腺癌和12例良性乳腺病变患者术前行乳腺弥散成像(DWI),测定良恶性病变弥散系数(ADC)值,术后标本行免疫组织化学染色测定癌细胞CerbB-2、PCNA、P53的表达情况,并分析与磁共振弥散系数值的相关性。结果:34例乳腺癌及12例良性乳腺病变完成弥散成像。恶性肿瘤组ADC值(0.778±0.169)×10-3mm2/s明显小于良性病变ADC值(1.801±0.429)×10-3mm2/s(P<0.05,b=1000s/mm2)。ADC值与PCNA、P53表达呈负相关(r=-0.634,-0.493,P<0.05)。结论:乳腺良恶性病变的ADC值有显著性差异,乳腺癌的ADC值与分子生物学之间存在一定相关性。     

运用多b值DWI探讨前列腺中央腺体癌的诊断

目的 运用3.0 T MR多b值DWI探讨b值选择对前列腺中央腺体癌(CGPCa)及良性前列腺增生(BPH)鉴别效能的影响.方法 经病理证实的28例CGPCa及23例BPH患者行常规序列及DWI序列扫描,DWI设定4个b值(0、500、1000、1500 s/mm2),分别选取b=0、1000 s/mm2,b=0、500、1000 s/mm2,b =0、1500 s/mm2,b=0、500、1500 s/mm2,b=0、1000、1500 s/mm2,b=0、500、1000、1500 s/mm2拟合得到ADC图,测量感兴趣区域(ROI)的ADC值.采用两独立样本t检验比较CGPCa组与BPH组ADC值的差异,应用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评价不同b值组合的诊断效能.结果 b=0、1000 s/mm2和b=0、500、1000 s/mm2两组在CGPCa及BPH组各ROI的ADC值均相等.CGPCa及BPH组在不同b值组合下ADC值差异均有显著统计学意义(P＜0.001).b=0、1000 s/mm2,b =0、500、1000 s/mm2,b=0、1500 s/mm2,b =0、500、1500 s/mm2,b=0、1000、1500 s/mm2,b=0、500、1000、1500 s/mm2的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.912、0.912、0.952、0.950、0.952、0.950;两两比较显示b=0、1500s/mm2,b=0、1000、1500 s/mm2,b=0、500、1000、1500 s/mm2三组分别与b=0、1000 s/mm2和b=0、500、1000 s/nmm2组的AUC比较差异有统计学意义,P值分别为0.015、0.009、0.015.在b=0、1500 s/mm2组,当ADC值阈值为0.901×10-3mm2/s时,诊断CGPCa的敏感性为92.86％,特异性为100％,阳性预测值为100％,阴性预测值为85.2％.结论 b=1500 s/mm2的高b值DWI对于鉴别CGPCa与BPH具有显著意义,诊断效能优于b=1000 s/nm2的常规DWI.     

磁共振扩散张量成像对正常人脑结构的显示及各向异性研究

目的 探讨不同脑组织结构在扩散张量成像（DTI）中的信号特点及各向异性。资料与方法 对20名正常人行DTI,分析其平均扩散系数（ADC）图及部分各向异性（FA）图的特点,并对不同感兴趣区（ROI）进行ADC及FA值的测量,通过统计学分析得出其扩散和各向异性特点。结果男女之间比较,同一部位的ADC及FA值差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,对称结构而言,左右侧的ADC或FA值相比差异也无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。ADC图上脑脊液呈明显的高信号,而其余脑组织呈不同程度的较低信号,且信号差别不大。侧脑室体部内的脑脊液与其他ROIADC值相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,而其余ROI之间的ADC值则无差异（P〉0．05）。FA图可以清晰反映脑白质纤维,呈明显的高信号。不同白质纤维的FA值不一致,胼胝体压部的FA值最大,并与胼胝体膝部差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。与其他测量结构差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。脑白质的各向异性按胼胝体、内囊、半卵圆中心、外囊逐渐降低。侧脑室体部内脑脊液的FA值最低。结论 不同部位脑组织的各向异性及信号不同。ADC图主要体现脑脊液与其他脑组织的差异,而FA图可以清晰显示脑内的白质纤维,并能定量反映不同部位各向异性的特征。     

Diffusion anisotropy measurement of brain white matter is affected by voxel size: underestimation occurs in areas with crossing fibers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Voxel size/shape of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may directly affect the measurement of fractional anisotropy (FA) in regions where there are crossing fibers. The purpose of this article was to investigate the effect of voxel size/shape on measured FA by using isotropic and nonisotropic voxels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy adult volunteers had MR imaging by using a 1.5 T clinical imager. DTI was performed with 2 different voxel sizes: a 2-mm-section isotropic voxel (2 x 2 x 2 mm(3)) and a 6-mm-section nonisotropic voxel (2 x 2 x 6 mm(3)). Images were obtained by using a single-shot echo-planar imaging technique with motion-probing gradients in 15 orientations and a b-value of 1000 s/mm(2). FA and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured at different sites of the brain. RESULTS: When smaller isotropic voxels were used, the FA was greater in areas with crossing fibers, including the superior longitudinal fasciculus, the thalamus, and the red nucleus; the FA was not significantly different in areas without crossing fibers, such as the corpus callosum, the posterior limb of the internal capsule, and the corticospinal tract at the level of the centrum semiovale (P>.05). The ADC values were not affected by voxel size/shape at any of the areas of the brain that were measured. CONCLUSION: FA values that are measured in regions containing crossing fibers are underestimated when using nonisotropic DTI.     

Diffusion tensor MR imaging of the brain: effect of diffusion weighting on trace and anisotropy measurements

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In human brain, the relationship between MR signal and b value is complicated by cerebral perfusion, restricted diffusion, anisotropy, cellular membrane permeability, and active cellular transport of water molecules. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of the number and strength of diffusion-sensitizing gradients on measured isotropic apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCi), fractional anisotropy (FA), and their respective SD in different anatomic locations of the brain. METHODS: Quantitative apparent diffusion coefficients and diffusion anisotropy brain maps were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers by using six different levels of diffusion weighting (b0 = 0, bl = 160, b2 = 320, b3 = 480, b4 = 640, and b5 = 800 s/mm2), applied sequentially in six different directions (Gxx, Gyy, Gzz, Gxy, Gxz, Gyz) and coupled to a single-shot spin-echo echo-planar (2,045/115 [TR/TE]) MR imaging technique. ADCi, FA, eigenvalues (lambda1, lambda2, lamdba3)1 of the principal eigenvectors, and their respective SD were measured from seven different anatomic locations in the brain. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate for the existence of significant differences in the average and SD of the calculated ADCi and FA as a function of the number and strength of b values. When a difference existed, the Bonferroni t method was used for paired comparisons of the groups. RESULTS: The measured ADCi was affected by the number and strength of b values (P < .05). The SD of the ADCi was affected by the strength (P < .05) but not the number of b values (P > .05). The measured FA was unaffected by the number and strength of b values (P > .05). The SD was affected by the number and strength of b values (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The number and strength of b values do influence measures of diffusion and anisotropy. Attention to the choice of diffusion sensitization parameters is important in decisions regarding clinical feasibility (acquisition time) and normative measures.     

DTI和T1WI测值法在早产儿脑发育评估中的应用价值

目的:探讨磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)和T1WI测值法在早产儿脑发育评估中的应用价值.方法:将32例早产儿根据分娩孕周分为早期早产儿组(出生胎龄≤32周,19例)和中晚期早产儿组(出生胎龄>32周,13例),均进行DTI检查,测量感兴趣区(ROI)的各向异性分数(FA)值和表观扩散系数(ADC)值.ROI包括胼胝体压部...     

DTI对HIV感染者脑白质细微结构病变的诊断研究

目的 探讨扩散张量成像(DTI)技术对人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染者脑白质细微病变的诊断和临床应用价值.方法选取80例HIV阳性者(阳性组)和83例HIV阴性者(对照组),均行MRI常规序列及DTI扫描.测定双侧内囊前支、内囊后支、内囊膝、胼胝体膝部、压部及双侧胼胝体干脑白质感兴趣区(ROI)的各向异性分数(FA)值和表观扩散系数(ADC)值,利用独立样本t检验比较2组间FA值及ADC值的差异.结果与正常对照组相比,阳性组双侧内囊前支及内囊膝、胼胝体膝部及双侧胼胝体干FA值均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);阳性组双侧内囊前支、后支、膝部及双侧胼胝体干ADC值均高于对照组,差异亦有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论DTI通过FA值和ADC值的异常改变而发现HIV阳性患者内囊及胼胝体区脑白质结构的细微病变,为临床早期诊断和治疗干预提供参考依据.     

青年抑郁症患者胼胝体MR扩散张量成像研究

目的 研究青年抑郁症患者胼胝体可能存在的细微结构异常。资料与方法 对54例青年抑郁症患者（抑郁症组）和38名年龄和性别匹配的正常志愿者（对照组）进行扩散张量成像（DTI）检查,测量胼胝体膝部、体部和压部的表观扩散系数（ADC）值和各向异性分数（FA）,并对两组进行对比分析。结果 抑郁症组患者胼胝体膝部和体部的ADC值明显高于正常对照组,FA值明显低于对照组,P值均〈0．01;胼胝体压部的ADC值和FA值在两组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。抑郁症组内ADC、FA值的性别差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论 青年抑郁症患者胼胝体膝部和体部白质纤维束可能存在细微结构的改变。     

Diffusion-tensor MR imaging of the brain in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is early evidence that diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) is useful in demonstrating subtle white matter alterations in different diseases of brain. We hypothesize that DTI in several brain regions in human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) patients is useful in the early detection of HIV-related brain injury. METHODS: MR imaging and DTI were performed in 60 HIV+ patients and in 30 controls. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC; mm/s(2)) maps were generated and coregistered on T2-weighted images. Regions of interest were placed in the splenium and genu of the callosum, the frontal white matter, and the hippocampus. HIV+ patients were divided into those whose CD4 count were <250 cells/mm(3) or >250 cells/mm(3). According to plasma viral loads, patients were divided into those whose viral loads were <50 copies/mL, 50-100,000 copies/mL, or >100,000 copies/mL. RESULTS: Statistically significant decrease of FA was found in the genu of the corpus callosum in HIV+ patients compared with controls. FA was reduced in the frontal white matter and hippocampi in HIV+ patients compared with controls. Differences, however, were not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were found between the HIV+ groups for FA of the splenium or between these groups and the controls. ADC values were significantly increased in the genu of HIV+ patients when compared with controls and were also increased in other locations, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: As used in this study, DTI was not helpful in identifying patients with early HIV infection.     

双b值扩散加权成像在脑梗死诊断中的应用

目的:比较双b值DWI对脑梗死体积及ADC值测量的影响,探讨较高b值DWI在脑梗死诊断中的应用价值。方法:回顾性研究30例脑梗死患者,年龄44～84岁,平均67岁,发病时间3～6d,DWI取b值1000和2000s/mm2,分析脑梗死DWI及ADC图,测量兴趣区与对侧正常部位的扩散系数(ADC)并计算相对扩散系数(rADC),测量并计算梗死灶体积。结果:急性和亚急性脑梗死灶均扩散受限,DWI呈高信号、ADC图呈低信号。与b值1000s/mm2相比,b值2000s/mm2DWI示脑灰白质对比度增加,病灶显示更清晰,还能发现新病灶。不同b值下rADC比较没有统计学意义(P=0.884,P>0.05),同侧ADC有统计学意义(P=0.005,P<0.05);对侧ADC有显著统计学意义(P<0.001)。较高b值下梗死体积较低b值增加,且有统计学意义(P=0.04,P<0.05)。结论:DWI是检测脑梗死的重要技术手段,rADC不受b值影响,rADC降低可指导脑梗死诊断;较高b值DWI上脑梗死灶体积测量更准确,有利于观察病灶演变和指导临床治疗。     

High b-value diffusion-weighted MRI of normal brain

PURPOSE: As MR scanner hardware has improved, allowing for increased gradient strengths, we are able to generate higher b values for diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging. Our purpose was to evaluate the appearance of the normal brain on DW MR images as the diffusion gradient strength ("b value") is increased from 1,000 to 3,000 s/mm2. METHOD: Three sets of echo planar images were acquired at 1.5 T in 25 normal subjects (mean age 61 years) using progressively increasing strengths of a diffusion-sensitizing gradient (corresponding to b values of 0, 1,000, and 3,000 s/mm2). All other imaging parameters remained constant. Qualitative assessments of trace images were performed by two neuroradiologists, supplemented by quantitative measures of MR signal and noise in eight different anatomic regions. RESULTS: As gradient strength increased from b = 1,000 to 3,000, both gray and white matter structures diminished in signal as expected based on their relative diffusion coefficients [calculated average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values: gray matter = 8.5 x 10(-4) mm2/s, white matter = 7.5 x 10(-4) mm2/s]. The signal-to-noise ratios for the b = 1,000 images were approximately 2.2 times higher than for the b = 3,000 images (p < 0.0001). As the strength of the diffusion-sensitizing gradient increased, white matter became progressively hyperintense to gray matter. Relative to the thalamus, for example, the average MR signal intensity of white matter structures increased by an average of 27.5%, with the densely packed white matter tracts (e.g., middle cerebellar peduncle, tegmentum, and internal capsule) increasing the most. CONCLUSION: Brain DW images obtained at b = 3,000 appear significantly different from those obtained at b = 1,000, reflecting expected loss of signal from all areas of brain in proportion to their ADC values. Consequently, when all other imaging parameters are held constant, b = 3,000 DW images appear significantly noisier than b = 1,000 images, and white matter tracts are significantly more hyperintense than gray matter structures.     

Diffusion MRI findings in Wilson's disease.

Six patients having Wilson's disease were studied with diffusion MRI in order to characterize cerebral lesions. Diffusion MRI was obtained using the spin-echo, echo-planar sequence with a gradient strength of 30 mT/m. The trace protocol was used in the axial imaging plane. Heavily diffusion-weighted (b=1000s/mm(2)) images, and the ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) values from automatically generated ADC maps were studied. The ADC values of the normal brain parenchyma were available in 17 age-matched cases for comparison (ADC values, 0.85+/-0.11 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s). In Wilson's disease two distinct diffusion MRI patterns were observed by quantitative evaluations of the ADC maps; cytotoxic edema-like (ADC values, 0.52+/-0.03 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s), and vasogenic edema-like (ADC values, 1.42+/-0.17 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s) patterns. Diffusion imaging appears to be a promising sequence to evaluate the changes in the brain tissue in Wilson's disease at least by revealing two different patterns.