Khin Khin Tha1, Satoshi Terae1, Ichiro Yabe2, Tamaki Miyamoto3, Hiroyuki Soma2, Yuri Zaitsu1, Noriyuki Fujima1, Hidenao Sasaki2, Hiroki Shirato1
1Department of Radiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; 2Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; 3Department of Physiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Autopsies have shown that abnormalities in multiple system atrophy (MSA) are not confined only to the infratentorial compartment and putamen, but can also be observed in the supratentorial white matter. This study evaluated if DTI can detect supratentorial white matter abnormalities in MSA, and their clinical significance. Supratentorial white matter, including centrum semiovale, external and internal capsules, of MSA patients had significant FA and D alterations, some of which were significantly correlated with the activity of daily living. Attention should also be paid to supratentorial white matter abnormalities in assessment of MSA. DTI can be useful in detecting these abnormalities.