ABSTRACT
NeuroQuant® is a recently developed, FDA-approved software program for measuring brain MRI volume in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to compare NeuroQuant with the radiologist's traditional approach, based on visual inspection, in 20 outpatients with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Each MRI was analyzed with NeuroQuant, and the resulting volumetric analyses were compared with the attending radiologist's interpretation. The radiologist's traditional approach found atrophy in 10.0% of patients; NeuroQuant found atrophy in 50.0% of patients. NeuroQuant was more sensitive for detecting brain atrophy than the traditional radiologist's approach.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/pathology , Brain/pathology , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Software , Adult , Aged , Brain Mapping , Female , Functional Laterality , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: NeuroQuant® is a recently developed, FDA-approved software program for measuring brain MRI volume in clinical settings. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to examine the test-retest reliability of NeuroQuant®; (2) to test the hypothesis that patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) would have abnormally rapid progressive brain atrophy; and (3) to test the hypothesis that progressive brain atrophy in patients with mild TBI would be associated with vocational outcome. METHODS: Sixteen patients with mild TBI were compared to 20 normal controls. Vocational outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). RESULTS: NeuroQuant® showed high test-re-test reliability. Patients had abnormally rapid progressive atrophy in several brain regions and the rate of atrophy was associated with inability to return to work. CONCLUSIONS: NeuroQuant®, is a reliable and valid method for assessing the anatomic effects of TBI. Progression of atrophy may continue for years after injury, even in patients with mild TBI.
