title: Diffusion-weighted imaging using readout-segmented echo-planar imaging, parallel imaging, and two-dimensional navigator-based reacquisition in detecting acute optic neuritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the accuracy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in comparison to contrast-enhanced, fat-suppressed T1 -weighted imaging (CET1WI) in detecting acute optic neuritis (ON).
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical data and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 42 patients who presented with decreased vision were retrospectively reviewed. Both 3.0T MRI DWI and CET1WI orbital imaging studies were performed. Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated the DWI and CET1WI. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the DWI and CET1WI were individually calculated using the clinical diagnosis as the reference standard. The interobserver and intraobserver reliability of DWI and CET1WI were assessed by using a weighted Cohen's kappa (κ) test; a value of P < 0.05 was set as the threshold for statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 42 patients, 34 patients (41 nerves) had clinically confirmed acute ON, two had ischemic optic neuropathy, and three had chronic recurrent ON. The sensitivities of DWI and CET1WI for acute ON were 82.9-82.9% and 68.3-85.4%, respectively; the specificities were 81.4-83.7% and 79.1-93.0%, respectively; and the accuracies were 82.1-83.3% and 82.1-90.0%, respectively. The interobserver kappa values were 0.596-0.643 and 0.694-0.734 for DWI and CET1WI, respectively; the intraobserver kappa values were 0.809-0.905 and 0.834-0.924 for DWI and CET1WI, respectively (each P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given that its sensitivity and specificity are similar to those of dedicated CET1WI for acute ON, DWI can play an important complementary role in detecting acute ON, especially in atypical ON cases, and can provide a quantitative modality that can be used to evaluate axonal damage in the optic nerves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Hailin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sha
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Rujian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Guohong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015588:Observer Variation; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: diffusion weighted imaging; inflammation; magnetic resonance imaging; optic neuritis