title: Rating method for dilated Virchow-Robin spaces on magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dilated Virchow-Robin spaces are an emerging neuroimaging biomarker, but their assessment on MRI needs standardization.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a rating method for dilated Virchow-Robin spaces in 4 brain regions (centrum semiovale, basal ganglia, hippocampus, and mesencephalon) and tested its reliability in a total of 125 MRI scans from 2 population-based studies. Six investigators with varying levels of experience performed the ratings. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to determine intra- and interrater reliability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intrarater reliability was excellent for all 4 regions (intraclass correlation coefficient, >0.8). Interrater reliability was excellent for the centrum semiovale and hippocampus (intraclass correlation coefficient, >0.8) and good for the basal ganglia and mesencephalon (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.6-0.8). This did not differ between the cohorts or experience levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We describe a reliable rating method that can facilitate pathogenic and prognostic research on dilated Virchow-Robin spaces using MRI.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Dr Molewaterplein 50, 3015GE Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors: Hieab H H
authors: HH
authors: Adams
authors: Margherita
authors: M
authors: Cavalieri
authors: Benjamin F J
authors: BF
authors: Verhaaren
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Bos
authors: Aad
authors: A
authors: van der Lugt
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Enzinger
authors: Meike W
authors: MW
authors: Vernooij
authors: Reinhold
authors: R
authors: Schmidt
authors: M Arfan
authors: MA
authors: Ikram
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000473:pathology*; D045604:Extracellular Fluid; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: MRI; Virchow–Robin spaces; epidemiology; population-based study