ADC Value of Optic Nerve in Multiple Sclerosis

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Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the commonest non-traumatic disabling disease to affect young adults. The incidence of MS is increasing worldwide, together with the socioeconomic impact of the disease. The underlying cause of MS and mechanisms behind this increase remain opaque, although complex gene–environment interactions almost certainly play a significant role. Aim of the Work To investigate diffusion alteration by measuring ADC values in optic nerve in multiple sclerosis in comparison to the healthy controls. The ADC values of optic nerve may have potential for MS patients as it predict the patients at risk of optic nerve disease and assess the long term effect of MS on optic nerve. Patients and Methods This study is a retrospective study. The study was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals over a course of 8 months from December 2022 to July 2023 and the main source of data for this study was the archived MRI imaging of the patients referred to the department of Radiology, Ain Shams University Hospitals. Results Our study included a heterogeneous group of adult patients older than 18 years old. Male patients= 50 (33.8%) and female patients= 98 (66.2%). Multiple sclerosis was found to be associated with risk of optic nerve disease and atrophy due to axonal loss as presented by facilitated diffusion of optic nerve indicated by increase of mean ADC value in MS patients as compared to optic nerve of normal controls. It was found that there is positive correlation between disease duration and optic nerve affection, The mean value of disease duration was found to be 6.18 +/- 5.29 years ranged from 1 to 26 years, Although it was statistically significant weak positive correlation yet it was a good indication to put eye upon the optic nerve affection in MS patients regardless of their clinical presentation, suggesting subclinical optic neuritis in MS. Conclusion Changes detected in ADC value of optic nerve could be helpful in early detection of subclinical optic neuritis even before it presented clinically, this necessitate some modifications in the treatment strategies to prevent or even delay the possibility of optic nerve axonal damage.