Diffusion tensor imaging in cases of @entity8019 : preliminary experience as a marker for XXXX ?

@entity1 @entity17 @entity8019 @entity62
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor imaging measures the proton diffusivity and preferential orientation of the diffusion tensor. @entity8019 is a @entity17 for which therapy depends on the onset and extension of @entity17 . We investigated the ability of diffusion tensor imaging to detect changes in the @entity17 and in the normal appearing white matter. METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging of three related @entity1 with @entity8019 and seven age-matched control @entity1 was performed. Isotropic diffusion (D') and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were determined in 18 regions of interest in the white matter of both hemispheres. RESULTS: In all the demyelinated white matter areas, a pattern with increased D' and loss of FA was found. For example, mean D' was 1.772 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s in @entity1 2 with @entity62 and was 0.693 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s in control @entity1 (P =.01). In the same region, mean FA was 0.103 (0.464 in control @entity1 , P <.0001). Significant alterations of D' and FA were also observed in normal appearing white matter. For example, mean D' was 0.802 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s in the parietal white matter of @entity1 1 with no visible alterations on T2-weighted images (0.715 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s in control @entity1 , P =.03), whereas mean FA was 0.320 (0.400 in control @entity1 , P =.003). CONCLUSION: Elevated D' and loss of FA revealed by diffusion tensor imaging are consistent with severe @entity17 in @entity1 with @entity8019 . Significant alterations of D' and FA in normal appearing white matter may indicate @entity17 in areas that are not yet visibly altered on conventional MR images. Further evaluation in a larger series of @entity1 and long-term study are needed.
