High b-Value q-Space Analyzed Diffusion-Weighted MRI Using 1.5 Tesla Clinical Scanner; Determination of Displacement Parameters in the Brains of Normal versus Multiple Sclerosis and Low-Grade Glioma Subjects

PURPOSE We aimed to determine the displacement parameters in the brains of normal individuals relative to brain parenchymal abnormalities, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and low-grade glioma, by q-space imaging (QSI) using 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-five normal, three pathologically proven low-grade glioma, and five MS subjects were imaged by a 1.5-T MR unit for QSI (b-values, 0-12,000 s/mm2). Mean displacement (MD) values in white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), and lateral ventricle (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) of normal subjects, plaques, and normal appearing WM (NAWM) of MS subjects and glioma lesions were calculated. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison. RESULTS In normal subjects, MD values were 6.6 +/- 0.2, 8.44 +/- 0.41, and 17.08 +/- 0.80 mu m for WM, GM, and CSF, respectively, while those for NAWM and WM plaques in MS, and glioma lesions were significantly higher at 7.0 +/- 0.17, 9.3 +/- 2.3, and 9.6 +/- 0.40 mu m, respectively, compared to WM in normal subjects. CONCLUSION We propose that the relative values of MD obtained by QSI in control and diseased tissues can be useful for diagnosing various WM abnormalities.