Quantitative diffusion tensor deterministic and probabilistic fiber tractography in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to study the quantitative fiber tractography variations and patterns in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to assess the correlation between quantitative fiber tractography and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients with RRMS and 28 age-matched healthy volunteers underwent a diffusion tensor MR imaging study. Quantitative deterministic and probabilistic fiber tractography were generated in all subjects. And mean numbers of tracked lines and fiber density were counted. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare tracked lines and fiber density in RRMS patients with those in controls. Bivariate linear regression model was used to determine the relationship between quantitative fiber tractography and EDSS in RRMS.


RESULTS
Both deterministic and probabilistic tractography's tracked lines and fiber density in RRMS patients were less than those in controls (P<.001). Both deterministic and probabilistic tractography's tracked lines and fiber density were found negative correlations with EDSS in RRMS (P<.001). The fiber tract disruptions and reductions in RRMS were directly visualized on fiber tractography.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes of white matter tracts can be detected by quantitative diffusion tensor fiber tractography, and correlate with clinical impairment in RRMS.
Hu
Bing
B
Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Road Tianhe 600, 510630 Guangdong, Guangzhou, China.
Ye
Binbin
B
Yang
Yang
Y
Zhu
Kangshun
K
Kang
Zhuang
Z
Kuang
Sichi
S
Luo
Lin
L
Shan
Hong
H
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D012984:Software; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric