Clinical observation of diffusion tensor imaging combined with free water imaging on microstructural damage of brain tissue in hepatolenticular degeneration

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To analyze the evaluation of microstructural damage in brain tissue of hepatolenticular degeneration using diffusion tensor imaging combined with free water imaging. Methods 30 patients with Wilson's disease who underwent diagnosis and treatment in our hospital between December 2022 and December 2024 were selected as the disease group, and 30 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to collect diffusion tensor imaging and free water imaging. Free water values and fractional anisotropy were calculated. Pearson correlation test was used to examine the relationship between nerve function scores, free water values, and FAT values in the unified Hepatolenticular Degeneration Scale for the disease group. Results The free water values of the disease group's pontine tegmentum, bilateral head of the caudate nucleus, dentate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, red nucleus, substantia nigra, and thalamus The FAT values [(0.2 ± 0.1), (0.3 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.6 ± 0.2), (0.3 ± 0.1), (0.4 ± 0.1), (0.5 ± 0.1), (0.3 ± 0.1), (0.5 ± 0.1), (0.6 ± 0.2), (0.3 ± 0.1)] were all higher than those of the control group [(0.1 ± 0.0), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.1 ± 0.0), (0.1 ± 0.0), (0.1 ± 0.0), (0.1 ± 0.0), (0.1 ± 0.0) (0.1 ± 0.0), (0.1 ± 0.0), (0.5 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), (0.3 ± 0.1), (0.4 ± 0.1), (0.1 ± 0.0), (0.4 ± 0.1), (0.5 ± 0.1), (0.2 ± 0.1), P<0.05]. The neurological function score in the unified hepatolenticular degeneration rating scale for the disease group is (17.5 ± 3.8) points. Pearson correlation test showed that the neurological function score in the Unified Hepatolenticular Degeneration Scale was positively correlated with free water and FAT values (r=0.856, 0.831, P<0.05). To explore the diagnostic value of free water value and FAT value in hepatolenticular degeneration with the free water value and FAT value of each brain region of interest as detection indexes. The results showed that the AUC of FAT in putamen was the highest (0.88), and the AUC of other regions such as substantia nigra and red nucleus was also higher, both of which were higher than 0.8, suggesting that the free water value and FAT value had good discrimination ability. Conclusion The combination of diffusion tensor imaging and free water imaging can detect microstructural changes in the brain tissue of patients with hepatolenticular degeneration, and free water imaging indicators are related to the severity of nerve damage.

Key words: Hepatolenticular degeneration, Diffusion tensor imaging, Free water imaging, Microstructural damage to brain tissue

ZHAO Wen-chao, TANG Chen-hu, SHI Meng, CHEN Xin, HU Yu-heng. Clinical observation of diffusion tensor imaging combined with free water imaging on microstructural damage of brain tissue in hepatolenticular degeneration[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2025, 30(12): 1724-1727.

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