Spinal Cord Diffusion-Tensor Imaging and Motor-evoked Potentials in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Microstructural and Functional Asymmetry

von Meyenburg, Jan; Wilm, Bertram J; Weck, Anja; Petersen, Jens; Gallus, Evelyn; Mathys, Jan; Schaetzle, Elisabeth; Schubert, Martin; Boesiger, Peter; von Meyenburg, Kaspar; Goebels, Norbert; Kollias, Spyros (2013). Spinal Cord Diffusion-Tensor Imaging and Motor-evoked Potentials in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Microstructural and Functional Asymmetry. Radiology, 267(3), pp. 869-79. Oak Brook, Ill.: Radiological Society of North America RSNA 10.1148/radiol.13112776

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Purpose: To assess possible association between intrinsic structural damage and clinical disability by correlating spinal cord diffusion-tensor (DT) imaging data with electrophysiological parameters in patients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the local ethical committee according to the declaration of Helsinki and written informed consent was obtained. DT images and T1- and T2-weighted images of the spinal cord were acquired in 28 healthy volunteers and 41 MS patients. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficients were evaluated in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) at the cervical level and were correlated with motor-evoked potentials (n = 34). Asymmetry index was calculated for FA values with corresponding left and right regions of interest as percentage of the absolute difference between these values relative to the sum of the respective FA values. Statistical analysis included Spearman rank correlations, Mann-Whitney test, and reliability analysis. Results: Healthy volunteers had low asymmetry index (1.5%-2.2%). In MS patients, structural abnormalities were reflected by asymmetric decrease of FA (asymmetry index: 3.6%; P = .15). Frequently asymmetrically affected among MS patients was left and right central motor conduction time (CMCT) to abductor digiti minimi muscle (ADMM) (asymmetry index, 15%-16%) and tibialis anterior muscle (TAM) (asymmetry index, 9.5%-14.1%). Statistically significant correlations of functional (ie, electrophysiological) and structural (ie, DT imaging) asymmetries were found (P = .005 for CMCT to ADMM; P = .007 for CMCT to TAM) for the cervical lateral funiculi, which comprise the crossed pyramidal tract. Interobserver reliability for DT imaging measurements was excellent (78%-87%). Conclusion: DT imaging revealed asymmetric anatomic changes in spinal cord NAWM, which corresponded to asymmetric electrophysiological deficits for both arms and legs, and reflected a specific structure-function relationship in the human spinal cord. © RSNA, 2013.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Head Organs and Neurology (DKNS) > Clinic of Neurology

UniBE Contributor:

Weck, Anja

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

0033-8419

Publisher:

Radiological Society of North America RSNA

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:40

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:12

Publisher DOI:

10.1148/radiol.13112776

PubMed ID:

23468573

Web of Science ID:

000319445400024

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.16453

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/16453 (FactScience: 224095)

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