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Abstract #4103

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

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

1Division of Translational Imaging Research, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States; 2Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States


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.