Voxel-wise analysis of diffusion tensor MRI improves the confidence of diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration non-invasively

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2008;14(5):436-9. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2007.09.011. Epub 2008 Mar 6.

Abstract

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) presents with symptoms that often overlap with other neurological conditions. In many cases, diagnosis, prognosis and consequent clinical management remain uncertain. Structural and functional asymmetric brain changes represent the most consistent imaging findings that may assist in CBD diagnosis. Diffusion Tensor MRI (DT-MRI) is a quantitative technique that allows microscopic tissue abnormalities to be non-invasively assessed in vivo. A single case of clinically suspected CBD with symmetric diffuse brain atrophy on conventional-MRI scans was studied using DT-MRI by voxel-wise comparison with eight healthy subjects. The lateralized distribution of DT-MRI abnormalities was consistent with clinical features providing a substantial support to the diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Basal Ganglia / diagnostic imaging
  • Basal Ganglia / pathology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Male
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods