ABSTRACT
To study the MRI diffusion characteristics of the lesions and normal appearing white matter [NAWM] in Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis [ADEM]. Average apparent MRI diffusion coefficient [ADC] of the lesions and NAWM in 6 patients [Their with ADEM was calculated. The ADC of the normal white matter of age and sex matched 6 normal subjects served as a control. The average ADC in the lesions from ADEM patients [1.46 x 10[-3] mm[2]/sec] was significantly higher than that of ADEM NAWM [0.745 x 10[-3] mm[2]/sec], [P < 0.0001] and the normal white matter of their control subjects [0.748 x 10[-3] mm[2]/sec], [P < 0.0001]. No significant difference was noted between the ADC values of the NAWM of ADEM patients [0.745 x 10[-3] mm[2]/sec] and their age and sex matched controls [0.748 x 10[-3] mm[2]/sec], [P =0.837]. The ADC of the NAWM is not affected in ADEM patients. The ADC of the lesions of ADEM is significantly higher than its NAWM. Mapping the ADC of the lesions and NAWM is a potential and promising tool to characterize ADEM. More studies are needed to confirm these findings