Phuttharak, WarinthornGalassi, WaneeratLaopaiboon, VallopLaopaiboon, MalineeHesselink, John R2009-05-272009-05-272006-02-04Phuttharak W, Galassi W, Laopaiboon V, Laopaiboon M, Hesselink JR. ADC measurements in various patterns of multiple sclerosis lesions. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 2006 Feb; 89(2): 196-204http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/42931Chotmaihet Thangphaet.OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference of mean apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) among different patterns of focal multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, to compare mean lesion ADC between 2 clinical subgroups and to correlate mean lesion ADC with disability. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty seven patients (26 with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and 11 with secondary-progressive MS) underwent both conventional and diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the brain. After creating ADC maps, region identification was done by using b = 0 images and T2-weighted images. ADC values were measured for MS lesions and (NAWM). RESULTS: A total of 288 lesions were identified on the images. The mean ADC for the lesions was significantly higher than that of NAWM Hypointense T1 lesions (n = 221) had a significantly higher mean ADC than isointense T1 lesions (n = 67) in both nonenhancing lesions (n = 250) and enhancing lesions (n = 38). The enhanced rim of ring-enhancing lesions (n = 18) had lower ADC than the central nonenhanced portions. Confluent lesions (n = 62) had a substantially higher mean ADC than discrete lesion (n = 226). Mean lesion ADC of secondary progressive MS was significantly higher than relapsing remitting MS. No correlation between mean lesion ADC and (EDSS) score was found CONCLUSION: Quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging is useful to elucidate the heterogeneous pathological substrate of MS in different patterns of MS lesions, to differentiate 2 major clinical subgroups.engAdolescentAdultAge FactorsCohort StudiesConfidence IntervalsDiffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging --methodsDisability EvaluationDisease ProgressionEcho-Planar Imaging --methodsFemaleFollow-Up StudiesGadolinium DTPA --diagnostic useHumansMaleMiddle AgedMultiple Sclerosis --diagnosisMultiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive --diagnosisMultiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting --diagnosisRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentSensitivity and SpecificitySeverity of Illness IndexSex FactorsStatistics, NonparametricComparative Study