Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volumetry Research Articles

Association of MicroRNA Expression and Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels with Clinical and Radiological Findings in Multiple Sclerosis.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for many diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker that can detect axonal damage in different neurological diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of the expression profile of pre-selected miRNAs and NfL levels with clinical and radiological variables in MS patients. We conducted a 1-year longitudinal prospective study in MS patients with different clinical forms. We measured clinical disability using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry baseline, and cognitive functioning using the processing speed test (PST) at baseline and 1 year later. Selected serum miRNAs and serum NfL (sNfL) levels were quantified. Seventy-three patients were recruited. MiR-126.3p correlated with EDSS and cognitive status at baseline and miR-126.3p and miR-9p correlated with cognitive deterioration at 1 year. Correlations with regional brain volumes were observed between miR-126.3p and the cortical gray matter, cerebellum, putamen, and pallidum; miR-146a.5p with the cerebellum and pallidum; miR-29b.3p with white matter and the pallidum; miR-138.5p with the pallidum; and miR-9.5p with the thalamus. sNfL was correlated with miR-9.5p. miR-146a.5p was also associated with the MS phenotype. These data justify future studies to further explore the utility of miRNAs (mirR-126.3p, miR-146.5p, and miR.9-5p) and sNfL levels as biomarkers of MS.

Correlation between semiautomated magnetic resonance imaging volumetry of the cingulate gyrus and interictal epileptiform discharge lateralization in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.

Brain imaging suggests the involvement of the limbic system, particularly the cingulate gyrus (GC), in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE). A correlation exists between the side of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and the volume of the ipsilateral GC (GCe) in dogs with IE. Dogs admitted to the neurological consultation (32 with epileptic seizures and 13 control) were included. This retrospective, blinded study followed the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force recommendations for diagnosing IE at the Tier III confidence level. The IE group included 18 and 14 dogs with IEDs in the left and right hemispheres, respectively (median age: 36 months, median weight: 19.5 kg), whereas the control group included 13 dogs (median age: 32 months, median weight: 20 kg). Whole-brain and GC-volumetric assessments were performed by a semiautomated method. In the control group, the volume of the GC was: left, from 743.63 to 1001.61 mm3, right, from 789.35 to 1015.86 mm3. In the study group, the volume of the GC was: left, from 720.88 to 1054.9 mm3 and right, from 566.29 to 987.77 mm3. In dogs with IE, GCe volume was significantly lower than the mean volume of the GC in the control group relative to total intracranial volume (TIV; P = .00044). Alterations in the volume of the GC provide insights into structural changes during IE. The use of semiautomatic volumetry provides an advantage by reducing the potential for human error.

Brain and Ventricle Volume Alterations in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Determined by Artificial Intelligence-Based MRI Volumetry.

The aim of this study was to employ artificial intelligence (AI)-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain volumetry to potentially distinguish between idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (CG) by evaluating cortical, subcortical, and ventricular volumes. Additionally, correlations between the measured brain and ventricle volumes and two established semi-quantitative radiologic markers for iNPH were examined. An IRB-approved retrospective analysis was conducted on 123 age- and sex-matched subjects (41 iNPH, 41 AD, and 41 controls), with all of the iNPH patients undergoing routine clinical brain MRI prior to ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation. Automated AI-based determination of different cortical and subcortical brain and ventricular volumes in mL, as well as calculation of population-based normalized percentiles according to an embedded database, was performed; the CE-certified software mdbrain v4.4.1 or above was used with a standardized T1-weighted 3D magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (MPRAGE) sequence. Measured brain volumes and percentiles were analyzed for between-group differences and correlated with semi-quantitative measurements of the Evans' index and corpus callosal angle: iNPH patients exhibited ventricular enlargement and changes in gray and white matter compared to AD patients and controls, with the most significant differences observed in total ventricular volume (+67%) and the lateral (+68%), third (+38%), and fourth (+31%) ventricles compared to controls. Global ventriculomegaly and marked white matter reduction with concomitant preservation of gray matter compared to AD and CG were characteristic of iNPH, whereas global and frontoparietally accentuated gray matter reductions were characteristic of AD. Evans' index and corpus callosal angle differed significantly between the three groups and moderately correlated with the lateral ventricular volumes in iNPH patients [Evans' index (r > 0.83, p ≤ 0.001), corpus callosal angle (r < -0.74, p ≤ 0.001)]. AI-based MRI volumetry in iNPH patients revealed global ventricular enlargement and focal brain atrophy, which, in contrast to healthy controls and AD patients, primarily involved the supratentorial white matter and was marked temporomesially and in the midbrain, while largely preserving gray matter. Integrating AI volumetry in conjunction with traditional radiologic measures could enhance iNPH identification and differentiation, potentially improving patient management and therapy response assessment.

Potential and Pitfalls of Postoperative Volumetric Assessment of Extent of Resection in High-Grade Glioma in Resource-Constrained Settings.

While literature suggests the need for routine postoperative volumetric estimation of the EOR and residual tumour volume (RTV) in all cases of gliomas, the utility and feasibility of this protocol in resource-constrained centers remain underinvestigated. Our objective was to study the feasibility of volumetric EOR in routine neurosurgical practice and determine correlation with surgeons' intraoperative estimation of EOR. The secondary objective was to determine the survival impact of EOR and RTV on survival. A prospective study of pathologically proven high-grade gliomas (WHO grades 3 and 4) in adults was conducted at a tertiary care center. Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained for volumetric analysis using OsiriX software and manual segmentation. Overall survival and predictors were studied using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. Postoperative volumetry was feasible in 31% patients (n = 25) of study eligible patients (n = 84). The median EOR, CE-PTV, and CE-RTV were 79.1%, 69.8 cm3, and 8.7 cm3, respectively. There was a poor correlation of surgeons' intraoperative impression and volumetric data (P = 0.359). Interestingly, the EOR was not significantly associated with the survival time (P = 0.920), while tumor grade, molecular profile, Ki 67 score, and postoperative functional status showed statistically significant impact. Logistic difficulties impede routine implementation of this protocol in developing countries. MRI volumetry is clearly more accurate than surgeons' intraoperative estimation of EOR. Notwithstanding the role of EOR in survival, our study reveals a perhaps bigger impact of tumor biology and postoperative functional status in this equation.

Quantitative cellular pathology of the amygdala in temporal lobe epilepsy and correlation with magnetic resonance imaging volumetry, tissue microstructure, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy risk factors.

Amygdala enlargement can occur in temporal lobe epilepsy, and increased amygdala volume is also reported in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Apnea can be induced by amygdala stimulation, and postconvulsive central apnea (PCCA) and generalized seizures are both known SUDEP risk factors. Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) has recently provided additional information on altered amygdala microstructure in SUDEP. In a series of 24 surgical temporal lobe epilepsy cases, our aim was to quantify amygdala cellular pathology parameters that could predict enlargement, NODDI changes, and ictal respiratory dysfunction. Using whole slide scanning automated quantitative image analysis methods, parallel evaluation of myelin, axons, dendrites, oligodendroglia, microglia, astroglia, neurons, serotonergic networks, mTOR-pathway activation (pS6) and phosphorylated tau (pTau; AT8, AT100, PHF) in amygdala, periamygdala cortex, and white matter regions of interest were compared with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging data on amygdala size, and in 13 cases with NODDI and evidence of ictal-associated apnea. We observed significantly higher glial labeling (Iba1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, Olig2) in amygdala regions compared to cortex and a strong positive correlation between Olig2 and Iba1 in the amygdala. Larger amygdala volumes correlated with lower microtubule-associated protein (MAP2), whereas higher NODDI orientation dispersion index correlated with lower Olig2 cell densities. In the three cases with recorded PCCA, higher MAP2 and pS6-235 expression was noted than in those without. pTau did not correlate with SUDEP risk factors, including seizure frequency. Histological quantitation of amygdala microstructure can shed light on enlargement and diffusion imaging alterations in epilepsy to explore possible mechanisms of amygdala dysfunction, including mTOR pathway activation, that in turn may increase the risk for SUDEP.

MRI volumetry and diffusion tensor imaging for diagnosis and follow-up of late post-traumatic injuries

BackgroundTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of acquired disability and can cause devastating and progressive post-traumatic encephalopathy. TBI is a dynamic condition that continues to evolve over time. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of these late lesions is important for the development of new therapeutic strategies. ObjectivesThe primary objective was to compare the ability of fluid-attenuated reversion recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers to identify participants with a Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOS-E) score of 7–8, up to 10 years after their original TBI. The secondary objective was to study the brain regionalization of DTI markers. Finally, we analyzed the evolution of late-developing brain lesions using repeated MRI images, also taken up to 10 years after the TBI. MethodsIn this retrospective study, participants were included from a cohort of people hospitalized following a severe TBI. Following their discharge, they were followed-up and clinically assessed, including a DTI-MRI scan, between 2012 and 2016. We performed a cross-sectional analysis on 97 participants at a median (IQR) of 5 years (3–6) post-TBI, and a further post-TBI longitudinal analysis over 10 years on a subpopulation (n = 17) of the cohort. ResultsAlthough the area under the curve (AUC) of FLAIR, fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD) were not significantly different, only the AUC of FA was statistically greater than 0.5. In addition, only the FA was correlated with clinical outcomes as assessed by GOS-E score (P<10−4). On the cross-sectional analysis, DTI markers allowed study post-TBI white matter lesions by region. In the longitudinal subpopulation analysis, the observed number of brain lesions increased for the first 5 years post-TBI, before stabilizing over the next 5 years. ConclusionsThis study has shown for the first time that post-TBI lesions can present in a two-phase evolution. These results must be confirmed in larger studies. French Data Protection Agency (Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés; CNIL) study registration no: 1934708v0.

Subjective cognitive impairment score associate with regional amyloid burden and brain atrophy in subjective cognitive decline subjects

AbstractBackgroundSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) is now regarded as the first preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) spectrum disorders. It is important to predict which patients would progress to dementia, and screening tools might be helpful. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible correlations between AD biomarkers‐regional amyloid burden and volume changes‐and Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire‐Cognition (KDSQ‐C) score in SCD.MethodThis study analyzed SCD data from prospective population cohort study from July 2018 to December 2020. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry, visual and standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) analysis of 18F‐Florbetaben brain amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) were performed. Demographics, physical data, social and physiological functions were also obtained.KDSQ‐C was administered to SCD subjects as part of the clinical evaluation at the 36 month follow‐up visit. KDSQ‐C included 15 questions that assess 3 dimensions: memory impairment (items 1‐5), other cognitive impairments including language impairments (items 6‐10), and the ability to perform complex tasks in daily life (items 11‐15).ResultPrevalence of subjective cognitive impairment (KDSQ‐C ≧6) among 86 subjects was 73.3%.. No significant difference was observed between groups in terms of demographic characteristics including age, sex and APOE Ɛ4 status and neuropsychological test. However, regional SUVR (amygdala, inferior temporal gyrus and precuneus) and global SUVR were significantly higher in subjectively cognitive impaired group(p&lt;0.05). There were no brain volume differences between groups.For volumetry and KDSQ‐C correlation analysis, partial correlation analysis controlled for age, sex and APOE Ɛ4 status showed significant negative correlation between left entorhinal cortex, right hippocampal volume and KDSQ‐C (r = ‐0.230, p = 0.046; r = ‐0.226, p = 0.049). Similar association was also found between KDSQ‐C memory domain score and brain volume.ConclusionKDSQ‐C can be a useful tool for screening SCD patients at a higher risk with higher amyloid deposition and brain atrophy.This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, HI18C0530

Evaluation of 'Normal' Cognitive Functions and Correlation With MRI Volumetry: Towards a Definition of Vascular Cognitive Impairment.

Introduction It is important to establish criteria to define vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in India as VCI is an image-based diagnosis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes resulting from age with prevalent vascular risk factors may confound MRI interpretation. The objective of this study was to establish normative community data for MRI volumetryincluding white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV), correlated with age-stratified cognitive scores and vascular risk factors (VRFs), in adults aged 40 years and above. Methods We screened 2651 individuals without known neurological morbidity, living in Mumbai and nearby rural areas, using validated Marathi translations of Kolkata Cognitive Battery (KCB) and geriatric depression score (GDS). We stratified 1961 persons with GDS ≤9 by age and cognitive score, and randomly selected 10% from each subgroup for MRI brain volumetry. Crude volumes were standardized to reflect percentage of intracranial volume. Results MRI volumetry studies were done in 199 individuals (F/M = 90/109; 73 with body mass index (BMI) ≥25; 44 hypertensives; 29 diabetics; mean cognitive score 76.3). Both grey and white matter volumes decreased with increasing age. WMHV increased with age and hypertension. Grey matter volume (GMV) decreased with increasing WMHV. Positive predictors of cognition included standardized hippocampal volume (HCV), urban living, education, and BMI, while WMHV and age were negative predictors. Urban dwellers had higher cognitive scores than rural, and, paradoxically, smaller HCV. Conclusion In this study of MRI volumetry correlated with age, cognitive scores and VRFs, increasing age and WMHV predicted lower cognitive scores, whereas urban living and hippocampal volume predicted higher scores. Age and WMHV also correlated with decreasing GMV. Further study is warranted into sociodemographic and biological factors that mutually influence cognition and brain volumes, including nutritional and endocrine factors, especially at lower cognitive score bands. In this study, at the lower KCB score bins, the lack of laboratory data pertaining to nutritional and endocrine deficiencies is a drawback that reflects the logistical limitations of screening large populations at the community level.Our volumetric data which is age and cognition stratified, and takes into account the vascular risk factors associated, nevertheless constitutesimportant baseline data for the Indian population. Our findings couldpossibly contribute to the formulation of baseline criteria for defining VCI inIndia and could help in early diagnosis and control of cognitive decline and its key risk factors.

3D Pre-Processing Algorithm for MRI Images of Different Stages of AD

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative neuronal brain disorder resulting in memory loss, skills, and cognitive changes. The disorder’s primary diagnostic tests are defined as total brain atrophy and hippocampal atrophy. Early diagnosis is significant, and automatic systems design is necessary for this disorder. Potential biomarkers for AD are described using a hippocampal magnetic resonance imaging volumetry system with certain limitations. For the definite identification of the hippocampus region, pre-processing of the 3D MRI images of AD is necessary. The filtering and histogram-based pre-processing techniques enhance the region of interest, which helps in effectively segmenting the biomarker, the hippocampus. The median and eight histogram clippings are defined to be 98% efficient pre-processing techniques with the comparison of image quality parameters and statistical analysis. Thus an algorithm for pre-processing of the 3D MRI images of stages of AD is designed for the further process of identification.

Fast Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Hydrocephalus Using 3-Dimensional Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery: Initial Experience.

This study aimed to demonstrate the initial experience of using fast quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate hydrocephalus. A total of 109 brain MRI volumetry examinations (acquisition time, 7 minutes 30 seconds) were performed in 72 patients with hydrocephalus. From the measured ventricular system and brain volumes, ventricle-brain volume percentage was calculated to standardize hydrocephalus severity (processing time, <5 minutes). The obtained values were categorized into no, mild, and severe based on the fronto-occipital horn ratio (FOHR) and the ventricle-brain volume percentages reported in the literature. The measured volumes and percentages were compared between patients with mild hydrocephalus and those with severe hydrocephalus. The diagnostic performance of brain hydrocephalus MRI volumetry was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Ventricular volumes and ventricle-brain volume percentages were significantly higher in in patients with severe hydrocephalus than in those with mild hydrocephalus (FOHR-based severity: 352.6 ± 165.6 cm 3 vs 149.1 ± 78.5 cm 3 , P < 0.001, and 26.8% [20.8%-33.1%] vs 12.1% ± 6.0%, P < 0.001; percentage-based severity: 359.5 ± 143.3 cm 3 vs 137.0 ± 62.9 cm 3 , P < 0.001, and 26.8% [21.8%-33.1%] vs 11.3% ± 4.2%, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas brain volumes were significantly lower in patients with severe hydrocephalus than in those with mild hydrocephalus (FOHR-based severity: 878.1 ± 363.5 cm 3 vs 1130.1 cm 3 [912.1-1244.2 cm 3 ], P = 0.006; percentage-based severity: 896.2 ± 324.6 cm 3 vs 1142.3 cm 3 [944.2-1246.6 cm 3 ], P = 0.005, respectively). The ventricle-brain volume percentage was a good diagnostic parameter for evaluating the degree of hydrocephalus (area under the curve, 0.855; 95% confidence interval, 0.719-0.990; P < 0.001). Brain MRI volumetry can be used to evaluate hydrocephalus severity and may provide guide interpretation because of its rapid acquisition and postprocessing times.

Cortical Amyloid Burden Relates to Basal Forebrain Volume in Subjective Cognitive Decline.

Atrophy of cholinergic basal forebrain (BF) nuclei is a frequent finding in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry studies that examined patients with prodromal or clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD), but less clear for individuals in earlier stages of the clinical AD continuum. To examine BF volume reductions in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) participants with AD pathologic changes. The present study compared MRI-based BF volume measurements in age- and sex-matched samples of N = 24 amyloid-positive and N = 24 amyloid-negative SCD individuals, based on binary visual ratings of Florbetaben positron emission tomography (PET) measurements. Additionally, we assessed associations of BF volume with cortical amyloid burden, based on semiquantitative Centiloid (CL) analyses. Group differences approached significance for BF total volume (p = 0.061) and the Ch4 subregion (p = 0.059) only, showing the expected relative volume reductions for the amyloid-positive subgroup. There were also significant inverse correlations between BF volumes and CL values, which again were most robust for BF total volume and the Ch4 subregion. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that amyloid-positive SCD individuals, which are considered to represent a transitional stage on the clinical AD continuum, already show incipient alterations of BF integrity. The negative association with a continuous measure of cortical amyloid burden also suggests that this may reflect an incremental process. Yet, further research is needed to evaluate whether BF changes already emerge at "grey zone" levels of amyloid accumulation, before amyloidosis is reliably detected by PET visual readings.

Percutaneous Sclerotherapy of Large Venous Malformations Using Consecutive Polidocanol and Bleomycin Foam: MR Imaging Volumetric and Quality-of-Life Assessment

PurposeTo retrospectively evaluate sclerotherapy using consecutive polidocanol and bleomycin foam (CPBF) for large untreated venous malformations (VMs) and/or those resistant to prior treatment. Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study included all patients treated with CPBF for untreated VMs larger than 10 mL and/or refractory to treatment between May 2016 and October 2019. Baseline and follow-up VM volumes were measured on fat-suppressed T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Outcome was evaluated on postprocedural MR imaging volumetry and by a retrospective survey assessing clinical response and adverse events. Imaging response was considered good for volume reduction from 50% to 70% and excellent for volume reduction ≥70%. Symptoms and quality-of-life (QoL) scores were compared before and after CPBF sclerotherapy. ResultsForty-five patients (mean age, 16 years; range, 1–63 years; 25 males) with 57 VMs were analyzed and treated by 80 sclerotherapy. Sixty percent (27 of 45) of patients had undergone prior treatment for VM. Median VM volume was 36.7 mL (interquartile range, 84 mL) on pretherapy MR imaging. Good and excellent results after the last sclerotherapy were achieved in 36% (16 of 45) and 29% (13 of 45) of patients, respectively, corresponding to a decrease of >50% in 60% (34 of 57) of VMs. QoL score increased by at least 3 points, regardless of initial symptoms. Most patients did not desire additional sclerotherapy owing to near complete symptomatic relief, even for patients who did not achieve a good response. Swelling, pain, and motor impairment scores significantly improved after CPBF. Adverse events included fever (44%, 15 of 34) and nausea/vomiting (29%, 10 of 34). ConclusionsCPBF sclerotherapy represents an effective therapy for large and/or refractory VMs with minimal adverse events.

Deficits in naming pictures of objects are associated with glioma infiltration of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus: A study with diffusion MRI tractography, volumetric MRI, and neuropsychology.

It has been suggested that the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) may play an important role in several aspects of language processing such as visual object recognition, visual memory, lexical retrieval, reading, and specifically, in naming visual stimuli. In particular, the ILF appears to convey visual information from the occipital lobe to the anterior temporal lobe (ATL). However, direct evidence proving the essential role of the ILF in language and semantics remains limited and controversial. The first aim of this study was to prove that patients with a brain glioma damaging the left ILF would be selectively impaired in picture naming of objects; the second aim was to prove that patients with glioma infiltrating the ATL would not be impaired due to functional reorganization of the lexical retrieval network elicited by the tumor. We evaluated 48 right-handed patients with neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after surgery for resection of a glioma infiltrating aspects of the left temporal, occipital, and/or parietal lobes; diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was acquired preoperatively in all patients. Damage to the ILF, inferior frontal occipital fasciculus (IFOF), uncinate fasciculus (UF), arcuate fasciculus (AF), and associated cortical regions was assessed by means of preoperative tractography and pre-/pos-toperative MRI volumetry. The association of fascicles damage with patients' performance in picture naming and three additional cognitive tasks, namely, verbal fluency (two verbal non-visual tasks) and the Trail Making Test (a visual attentional task), was evaluated. Nine patients were impaired in the naming test before surgery. ILF damage was demonstrated with tractography in six (67%) of these patients. The odds of having an ILF damage was 6.35 (95% CI: 1.27-34.92) times higher among patients with naming deficit than among those without it. The ILF was the only fascicle to be significantly associated with naming deficit when all the fascicles were considered together, achieving an adjusted odds ratio of 15.73 (95% CI: 2.30-178.16, p = .010). Tumor infiltration of temporal and occipital cortices did not contribute to increase the odd of having a naming deficit. ILF damage was found to be selectively associated with picture naming deficit and not with lexical retrieval assessed by means of verbal fluency. Early after surgery, 29 patients were impaired in naming objects. The association of naming deficit with percentage of ILF resection (assessed by 3D-MRI) was confirmed (beta = -56.78 ± 20.34, p = .008) through a robust multiple linear regression model; no significant association was found with damage of IFOF, UF or AF. Crucially, postoperative neuropsychological evaluation showed that naming scores of patients with tumor infiltration of the anterior temporal cortex were not significantly associated with the percentage of ILF damage (rho = .180, p > .999), while such association was significant in patients without ATL infiltration (rho = -.556, p = .004). The ILF is selectively involved in picture naming of objects; however, the naming deficits are less severe in patients with glioma infiltration of the ATL probably due to release of an alternative route that may involve the posterior segment of the AF. The left ILF, connecting the extrastriatal visual cortex to the anterior region of the temporal lobe, is crucial for lexical retrieval on visual stimulus, such as in picture naming. However, when the ATL is also damaged, an alternative route is released and the performance improves.

Comparative validation of AI and non-AI methods in MRI volumetry to diagnose Parkinsonian syndromes

Automated segmentation and volumetry of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are essential for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Parkinson’s plus syndromes (P-plus). To enhance the diagnostic performance, we adopt deep learning (DL) models in brain MRI segmentation and compared their performance with the gold-standard non-DL method. We collected brain MRI scans of healthy controls (n=105) and patients with PD (n=105), multiple systemic atrophy (n=132), and progressive supranuclear palsy (n=69) at Samsung Medical Center from January 2017 to December 2020. Using the gold-standard non-DL model, FreeSurfer (FS), we segmented six brain structures: midbrain, pons, caudate, putamen, pallidum, and third ventricle, and considered them as annotated data for DL models, the representative convolutional neural network (CNN) and vision transformer (ViT)-based models. Dice scores and the area under the curve (AUC) for differentiating normal, PD, and P-plus cases were calculated to determine the measure to which FS performance can be reproduced as-is while increasing speed by the DL approaches. The segmentation times of CNN and ViT for the six brain structures per patient were 51.26 ± 2.50 and 1101.82 ± 22.31 s, respectively, being 14 to 300 times faster than FS (15,735 ± 1.07 s). Dice scores of both DL models were sufficiently high (> 0.85) so their AUCs for disease classification were not inferior to that of FS. For classification of normal vs. P-plus and PD vs. P-plus (except multiple systemic atrophy - Parkinsonian type) based on all brain parts, the DL models and FS showed AUCs above 0.8, demonstrating the clinical value of DL models in addition to FS. DL significantly reduces the analysis time without compromising the performance of brain segmentation and differential diagnosis. Our findings may contribute to the adoption of DL brain MRI segmentation in clinical settings and advance brain research.

Handgrip Strength Is Related to Hippocampal and Lobar Brain Volumes in a Cohort of Cognitively Impaired Older Adults with Confirmed Amyloid Burden.

Strength and mobility are essential for activities of daily living. With aging, weaker handgrip strength, mobility, and asymmetry predict poorer cognition. We therefore sought to quantify the relationship between handgrip metrics and volumes quantified on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To model the relationships between handgrip strength, mobility, and MRI volumetry. We selected 38 participants with Alzheimer's disease dementia: biomarker evidence of amyloidosis and impaired cognition. Handgrip strength on dominant and non-dominant hands was measured with a hand dynamometer. Handgrip asymmetry was calculated. Two-minute walk test (2MWT) mobility evaluation was combined with handgrip strength to identify non-frail versus frail persons. Brain MRI volumes were quantified with Neuroreader. Multiple regression adjusting for age, sex, education, handedness, body mass index, and head size modeled handgrip strength, asymmetry and 2MWT with brain volumes. We modeled non-frail versus frail status relationships with brain structures by analysis of covariance. Higher non-dominant handgrip strength was associated with larger volumes in the hippocampus (p = 0.02). Dominant handgrip strength was related to higher frontal lobe volumes (p = 0.02). Higher 2MWT scores were associated with larger hippocampal (p = 0.04), frontal (p = 0.01), temporal (p = 0.03), parietal (p = 0.009), and occipital lobe (p = 0.005) volumes. Frailty was associated with reduced frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe volumes. Greater handgrip strength and mobility were related to larger hippocampal and lobar brain volumes. Interventions focused on improving handgrip strength and mobility may seek to include quantified brain volumes on MR imaging as endpoints.

Associations of optical coherence tomography with disability and brain MRI volumetry in patients with multiple sclerosis.

To investigate in a cross-sectional study the correlations of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. OCT parameters include the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC). Brain magnetic resonance volumetry (T2- and T1- lesions volume, whole brain volume and grey matter volume) was evaluated using the Icobrain program. Clinical data was compared according to the history of optic neuritis (HON). Correlations were determined between OCT parameters and demographic (age, gender), clinical (disease duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale score [EDSS]), and MRI data. Out of 83 recruited people with MS, 27 had HON. The mean age of 75 patients with non-ON eyes was 42.08 ± 10.36 years, and 70.67% of the sample were females. Significant correlations were found between pRNFL and disability, along with several brain MRI-volumetry variables (Fluid-attenuated Inversion Recovery lesions volume [FLAIR]; T1-hypointense lesions volume; T1-lesions volume change; T1-volume lesions enlarging; whole brain volume; whole brain volume normative percentile; and volume of periventricular lesions). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that age, pRNFL and GCC were significantly associated with T1-hypointense lesions volume change (the model explained 24% of the overall variance of the dependent variable). The pRFNL value correlates with disability and brain MRI-volumetric parameters in MS patients, serving as a useful neurodegeneration and inflammation surrogate marker.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Right Ventricular Deformation in Patients With Transposition of the Great Arteries.

To detect changes of right ventricular (RV) myocardial deformation in patients with systemic RV (SRV) and transposition of the great arteries (TGA) as compared with individuals without structural heart disease. We performed a retrospective analysis of cine steady-state free precession cardiac magnetic resonance imaging sequences acquired using a 1.5T scanner in short-axis and long-axis views in 25 patients with SRV (16 with atrial switch repair for D-TGA and 9 with congenitally corrected TGA; age range 19 to 68, 13 males). The control group consisted of 25 individuals without structural heart disease (age range 10 to 73, 14 males). Besides routine RV magnetic resonance imaging volumetry, mean longitudinal RV strain was measured on a 4-chamber view, and mean circumferential RV strain on 3 short-axis images (basal, midventricular, and apical) based on feature tracking. The strain parameters were statistically compared between patients with SRV and the control group. Patients with SRV, compared with the control group, had significantly higher RV-indexed end-diastolic volume (122±40 vs. 70±9mL/m 2 , P <0.001), lower RV ejection fraction (45±12% vs. 62±6%, P <0.001), and reduced mean longitudinal RV strain (-13.7±3.6% vs. -21.6±2.7%, P <0.001). There was no relevant difference between mean circumferential SRV strain in the basal and midventricular plane; however, in patients with SRV, mean circumferential strain was reduced at the apical level (-12.0±6.1% vs. -17.9±5.6%, P <0.001). SRV failure could be explained by reduced longitudinal SRV strain caused by the longitudinal orientation of RV myocardial fibers. In patients with SRV, circumferential RV strain is only reduced in apical segments.

P 91 Characterization of amygdala enlargement in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy by MRI volumetry

Question: Amygdala enlargement (AE) can be a cause of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE). Clinical characteristics of AE and pathophysiological relationship between AE and mTLE are not fully understood. In this study, patients with AE and mTLE were examined clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to describe this form of epilepsy in more detail. Methods: We retrospectively included patients examined in inpatient video-EEG monitoring with AE confirmed by neuroradiologists based on MRI. We determined amygdala size by autoamated volumetry of 3D T1-weighted images in the software freesurfer (v7.1.1) using amygdala size as a surrogate parameter for amygdala pathology. We compared the results of normalized volumetry of subcortical structures with those of a healthy control group, and correlated the volumes with various clinical parameters. Results: Of 52 patients (50% female, age 15-66 years), 38 (73.1%) showed a seizure onset zone concordant to the side of the AE. The most common seizure patterns were dialeptic (90.4%) and automotor (88.5%) seizures. Auras occurred in 65.4%, mainly psychic (30.8%), epigastric (23.1%), and gustatory auras (11.5%). A total of 88.5% of patients were drug refractory; of these, 13 underwent epilepsy surgery and 7 (53.8%) achieved complete seizure freedom (Engel 1A). On histology, the cause of AE was found to be tumor in 3 patients, focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in 5 patients, and gliosis in 2. An autoimmune inflammatory pathology could be reliably determined in only 3 patients (5.8%). In 30 of 52 patients, automatic volumetry showed a significant enlargement of an amygdala (Z-score >1.96) compared to the normal cohort (N=175). Volumetrically determined AE was concordant to the radiologically diagnosed side in 80%. This group showed a mean amygdala volume of 2151mm 3 on the left side (range 1799-2515mm 3 ) and 2293mm 3 on the right side (range 2000-2560mm 3 ) compared to the normal cohort (mean 1773mm 3 left and 1909mm 3 right side, respectively). There was no significant correlation of amygdala size with epilepsy duration (p=0.4) and no significant clinical differences between purely radiologically and additionally volumetrically detected AE. Conclusions: Temporal lobe epilepsies due to AE have predominantly similar clinical characteristics despite heterogeneous etiopathogenesis. Automatic volumetry of AE does not detect all visually abnormal findings.

Roles of DWI and T2-weighted MRI volumetry in the evaluation of lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular invasion of stage IB–IIA cervical cancer

To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging volumetry on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) could be used to assess lymph node metastases (LNM) and lymphovascular invasion (LVSI) in resectable cervical cancer. Sixty-five consecutive patients with cervical cancer were enrolled retrospectively. Tumour size, including maximum transverse diameter, tumour length, and gross tumour volume (GTV), was evaluated on DWI and T2WI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured. Univariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to determine whether tumour size and ADC could be used to assess LNM and LVSI. Tumour length on both T2WI and DWI, and T2WI-based and DWI-based GTVs could be used to assess LNM (p=0.002, 0.004, 0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Tumour length on T2WI, T2WI-based GTV, DWI-based GTV, and ADC value could be used assess LVSI (p=0.039, 0.038, 0.012, 0.039, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed both T2WI-based GTV (odds ratio [OR]=1.044; p=0.008) and DWI-based GTV (OR=1.941; p=0.019) were independent risk factors for LNM. T2WI-based GTV (OR=1.023, p=0.038) and DWI-based GTV (OR=3.275, p=0.008) were independent risk factors for LVSI. No statistically significant difference was identified between the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the DWI-based GTV and the T2WI-based GTV (0.790 versus 0.775, p=0.113), or the tumour length on both T2WI (0.790 versus 0.734, p=0.185) and DWI (0.790 versus 0.737, p=0.333) for LNM. For LVSI, the AUC of DWI-based GTV was higher than T2WI-based GTV (0.720 versus 0.682, p=0.006). GTV on both T2WI and DWI could be used assess LNM and LVSI. DWI-based GTV might show the greatest potential for assessing LNM and LVSI in resectable cervical cancer.

Agreement Between Automated and Manual MRI Volumetry in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Automated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry is a promising tool to evaluate regional brain volumes in dementia and especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). To compare automated methods and the gold standard manual segmentation in measuring regional brain volumes on MRI across healthy controls, patients with mild cognitive impairment, and patients with dementia due to AD. Systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched through October 2021. 1.0 T, 1.5T, or 3.0 T. Two review authors independently identified studies for inclusion and extracted data. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2). Standardized mean differences (SMD; Hedges' g) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis with robust variance estimation. Subgroup analyses were undertaken to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the impact of the within-study correlation between effect estimates on the meta-analysis results. Seventeen studies provided sufficient data to evaluate the hippocampus, lateral ventricles, and parahippocampal gyrus. The pooled SMD for the hippocampus, lateral ventricles, and parahippocampal gyrus were 0.22 (95% CI -0.50 to 0.93), 0.12 (95% CI -0.13 to 0.37), and -0.48 (95% CI -1.37 to 0.41), respectively. For the hippocampal data, subgroup analyses suggested that the pooled SMD was invariant across clinical diagnosis and field strength. Subgroup analyses could not be conducted on the lateral ventricles data and the parahippocampal gyrus data due to insufficient data. The results were robust to the selected within-study correlation value. While automated methods are generally comparable to manual segmentation for measuring hippocampal, lateral ventricle, and parahippocampal gyrus volumes, wide 95% CIs and large heterogeneity suggest that there is substantial uncontrolled variance. Thus, automated methods may be used to measure these regions in patients with AD but should be used with caution. 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.