Clinical Significance of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Treatment Efficacy in MS Patients With Acute Attacks

Despite various imaging methods, the accurate diagnosis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases remains controversial. Using advanced imaging techniques, like diffusion-weighted imaging, can help the early detection of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and evaluation of the treatment efficacy in these patients.

In total, 24 MS patients with acute attack and 30 healthy subjects were considered in our study. Region of Interest (ROI) was defined for acute and chronic plaques and Normal-Appearing White Matter (NAWM) in the patients’ group. In the normal group, ROI only was mapped in the white matter in the same regions of the patient. All MS patients were receiving Methylprednisolone for 3 to 5 days. The rate of clinical disability in these patients was also evaluated based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) index. Finally evaluate changes of ADC values of plaques and NAWM before and after treatment.

The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values of acute plaques, the ADC values of NAWM, the number of enhancement in T1w, and EDSS values suggested a significant difference after treatment compared to before treatment. However, the ADC values of chronic plaques revealed no significant difference after treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between the difference in EDSS values before and after treatment.

The study results demonstrated that using diffusion technique and ADC values analysis is a proper non-invasive method for MS diagnosis and evaluating treatment efficacy in these patients.