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Whole brain apparent diffusion coefficient histogram: A new tool for evaluation of leukoaraiosis
Author(s) -
Mascalchi Mario,
Tessa Carlo,
Moretti Marco,
Della Nave Riccardo,
Boddi Vieri,
Martini Sara,
Inzitari Domenico,
Villari Natale
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.10050
Subject(s) - effective diffusion coefficient , histogram , nuclear medicine , medicine , diffusion mri , leukoaraiosis , radiology , white matter , magnetic resonance imaging , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics)
Purpose To test whole brain apparent diffusion coefficient histogram analysis as an alternative approach to visual score for the assessment of leukoaraiosis (LA). Materials and Methods T2 and diffusion weighted images were obtained in 15 elderly patients. LA extension was assessed on T2 weighted images by two observers using a semiquantitative visual score. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps of the entire brain were generated and, after exclusion of the skull with manual tracing and of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by application of a threshold value, whole brain (WB)‐ADC histogram was obtained. Moreover, a brain volume index (BVI) was calculated on ADC maps as (intracranial volume – CSF volume) /intracranial volume. Results The kappa inter‐observer agreement for LA scoring was 0.69. Manual segmentation of the skull showed a mean inter‐operator coefficient of variation below 3%. The median value of whole brain ADC histogram directly correlated with LA extension ( P = 0.013). Moreover a significant inverse correlation ( P = 0.002) was found between WB‐ADC median value and BVI. Conclusion WB‐ADC histogram is a reproducible alternative tool for assessing LA extension and severity. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;15:144–148. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.