Imaging degeneration of the substantia nigra in Parkinson disease with inversion-recovery MR imaging.

摘要: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Visualizing with MR imaging and obtaining quantitative indexes of degeneration the substantia nigra in Parkinson disease have been long-sought goals. We investigated potential role area T1 contrast measurements differentiating patients from controls their age-related changes. METHODS: Eight disease, 8 age-matched controls, young were imaged. obtained pixel-wise difference between 2 sets inversion-recovery images, acquired parallel to bicommissural plane, different inversion times. Pixel-intensity ratios lateral medial nigral regions, substantia-nigra/midbrain computed. RESULTS: Compared that loss was evident patients, its borders taking a smoother more irregular appearance. Patients characterized by lateral-to-medial gradient, due reduced hypointensity portion relative sparing portion. The visible significantly smaller compared matched (P = .04). nigra/midbrain ratio enabled considerably better separation .0001). lateral/medial pixel-intensity higher .01) .01). CONCLUSION: Inversion-recovery sequences may provide convenient way visualize degeneration. Relative integrate other techniques (such as diffusion-tensor on nigrostriatal pathways) neuroradiologic diagnosis follow-up quantitatively assessing nigra.