Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of brain & spinal cord. Conventional MRI (T1, T2, FLAIR, enhancedT1) provides information of morphology of demyelinating plaques, but irrelevant to give details about normal WM tracts which are involved pathologically in the MS process. Diffusion MRI, DTI are widely used non-conventional MRI techniques which provide better solution for studying normal appearing white matter. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reflects water diffusion within tissues therefore any white matter fibers alterations will be visible within it before conventional techniques.
Aim of the work: evaluation of normal appearing white matter of the brain in MS patients by diffusion tensor imaging examination thus assessing its ability to detect early abnormalities.
Patients &Methods: the study included 30 patients; 21 females and 9males having MS (between 22 and 48 years of age) with 25years control healthy volunteer. MR examination was in standard 3 Tesla units (Acheiva, Philips). Technique included: Conventional MR examination and Diffusion Tensor imaging.
Results: our study showed that DTI provide details about early affection of normal appearing white matter in MS cases when no visible plaques are detected in conventional MRI.
Conclusion: There is a strong relationship between clinical status of patients & diffusion tensor imaging readings especially in case of deterioration in course of disease & no new visible changes can be detected in conventional MRI.