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. 2022 Jan 5;8(1):20552173211070749.
doi: 10.1177/20552173211070749. eCollection 2022 Jan-Mar.

Usefulness of two-dimensional measurements for the evaluation of brain volume and disability in multiple sclerosis

Satori Ajitomi  1 , Juichi Fujimori  2 , Ichiro Nakashima  2
Affiliations

Usefulness of two-dimensional measurements for the evaluation of brain volume and disability in multiple sclerosis

Satori Ajitomi et al. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. .

Abstract

Background: Two-dimensional (2D) measures have been proposed as potential proxies for whole-brain volume in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To verify whether 2D measurements by routine MRI are useful in predicting brain volume or disability in MS.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, eighty-five consecutive Japanese MS patients-relapsing-remitting MS (81%) and progressive MS (19%)-underwent 1.5 Tesla T1-weighted 3D MRI examinations to measure whole-brain and grey matter volume. 2D measurements, namely, third ventricle width, lateral ventricle width (LVW), brain width, bicaudate ratio, and corpus callosum index (CCI), were obtained from each scan. Correlations between 2D measurements and 3D measurements, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), or processing speed were analysed.

Results: The third and lateral ventricle widths were well-correlated with the whole-brain volume (p < 0.0001), grey matter volume (p < 0.0001), and EDSS scores (p = 0.0001, p = .0004, respectively).The least squares regression model revealed that 78% of the variation in whole-brain volume could be explained using five explanatory variables, namely, LVW, CCI, age, sex, and disease duration. By contrast, the partial correlation coefficient excluding the effect of age showed that the CCI was significantly correlated with the EDSS and processing speed (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Ventricle width correlated well with brain volumes, while the CCI correlated well with age-independent (i.e. disease-induced) disability.

Keywords: EDSS; brain volume; corpus callosum index; grey matter; processing speed; ventricle width.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: IN is serving on scientific advisory boards for Biogen Japan and Novartis Pharma and is receiving honouraria for speaking engagements with Biogen Japan, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Novartis Pharma, Takeda Pharmaceutical, and Eisai. JF and SA report no disclosure.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Two-dimensional measures of brain atrophy.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Multiple regression analysis.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Whole-brain volume predicted by 2D measurements and that evaluated by 3D measurements.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Chronological changes in whole-brain volume predicted by 2D measurements and evaluated by 3D measurements.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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