Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate statistical differences with MR perfusion imaging features that reflect the dynamics of Gadolinium-uptake in MS lesions using dynamic texture parameter analysis (DTPA).
Methods: We investigated 51 MS lesions (25 enhancing, 26 nonenhancing lesions) of 12 patients. Enhancing lesions (n = 25) were prestratified into enhancing lesions with increased permeability (EL+; n = 11) and enhancing lesions with subtle permeability (EL-; n = 14). Histogram-based feature maps were computed from the raw DSC-image time series and the corresponding texture parameters were analyzed during the inflow, outflow, and reperfusion time intervals.
Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between EL+ and EL- and between EL+ and nonenhancing inactive lesions (NEL). Main effects between EL+ versus EL- and EL+ versus NEL were observed during reperfusion (mainly in mean and standard deviation (SD): EL+ versus EL- and EL+ versus NEL), while EL- and NEL differed only in their SD during outflow.
Conclusion: DTPA allows grading enhancing MS lesions according to their perfusion characteristics. Texture parameters of EL- were similar to NEL, while EL+ differed significantly from EL- and NEL. Dynamic texture analysis may thus be further investigated as noninvasive endogenous marker of lesion formation and restoration.