Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Therapy Induced Leukoencephalopathy in Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

John O. Glass¹, Wilburn E. Reddick¹, Sima Jeha²

This study used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate 52 pediatric ALL patients. Twenty-six patients with normal appearing studies were selected to age match 26 subjects with conventional imaging evidence of leukoencephalopathy (LE). A voxel-based analysis previously defined a region of interest (ROI) where T2 weighted hyperintensities commonly occurred in patients during treatment. Mean values of the DTI metrics were extracted for the ROI and independent samples T-tests were performed. Significant differences were demonstrated in decreased FA and increased radial diffusivity indicating an inflammatory / demyelinating process in the patients with LE.