Clinical Significance of Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Treatment Efficacy in MS Patients with Acute Attacks

Abstract

Background: Despite the existence of various imaging methods, the accurate diagnosis of many neurodegenerative diseases is still controversial. The use of advanced imaging techniques, such as the diffusion weighted imaging can be help the early detection of MS and evaluation of the treatment efficacy in these patients. Materials and method: 24 MS patients with acute attack and thirty healthy subjects were considered in our study. In the patients' group, ROI was defined for acute and chronic plaques and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). In the normal group, ROI only was mapped in the white matter in the same regions of the patient. All MS patients were receiving Methylprednisolone for 3 to 5 days. The rate of clinical disability in these patients was also evaluated based on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) index. Finally evaluate changes of ADC values of plaques and NAWM before and after treatment. Results: The ADC values of acute plaques, ADC values of NAWM, number of enhancement in T1w and EDSS values showed a significant difference after treatment compared to before treatment. However, the ADC values of chronic plaques have not shown any significant difference after treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between the difference in EDSS values before and after treatment. Conclusion: The results of study showed that using diffusion technique and ADC values analysis is a proper non-invasive method for MS diagnosis and evaluation of treatment efficacy in these patients.