Evaluation of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Findings in Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Objective: To compare diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and corpus callosum in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and healthy control group (HC).
Materials and Methods: Clinically isolated syndrome (n=10), RRMS (n=29), and healthy control (HC) (n=13) groups were evaluated by DTI in this retrospective study. Mean diffusion (OD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps, OD and FA measurements were made from the corpus callosum genu (CCG), splenium (CCS), and normal-appearing white matter areas from the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes.
Results: Mean FA values of the NAWM in temporal lobes were bilaterally lower both in CIS and RRMS than in HC. However, no difference was found between the CIS and RRMS groups. In addition, CIS had lower FA values in CCG, whereas RRMS had lower FA values in CCS compared with HC. MD values were significantly different in CCG between RRMS and HC.
Conclusion: DTI contributes to detecting early changes in the NAWM and CC in patients diagnosed with CIS and RRMS. DTI can aid in the follow-up and management of CIS and RRMS patients.