title: Grading cervical cord damage in neuromyelitis optica and MS by diffusion tensor MRI.
abstract: The authors assessed the ability of diffusion tensor MRI to grade cervical cord damage in 10 patients with neuromyelitis optica, 10 patients with multiple sclerosis, and 10 healthy controls. The three groups differed in terms of average mean diffusivity (p = 0.008) and average fractional anisotropy (p = 0.04). There was a correlation between the Expanded Standard Disability Status Scale score and cord average mean diffusivity (r = 0.52, p = 0.02).
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valsasina
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Judica
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capra
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filippi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016880:Anisotropy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000473:pathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic