Volumetric assessment of the corpus callosum in mri imaging of patients with multiple sclerosis

Volumetric Assessment of the Corpus Callosum in MRI Imaging of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Purpose: The aim of this study is to volumetrically evaluate the corpus callosum in multiple sclerosis patients and to examine the impact of the results on physical disability. Materials and methods: In our study, the images of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who underwent magnetic resonance imaging at Adıyaman University Training and Research Hospital Radiology Clinic were retrospectively examined. The sagittal 3D T1-weighted images obtained from the patients were uploaded to the internet-based MRICloud (https://mricloud.org/) application to obtain volumetric measurements. For the corpus callosum index measurement, measurements were taken at the mid-sagittal level of the same magnetic resonance sequence. The statistical analysis of the obtained values was performed using SPSS (IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows ver 27.01) software. Results: Our study included 54 patients and a control group of 61 individuals. Of the patient group, 13 (24,1%) were male and 41 (75,9%) were female, with an average age of 33,37. The control group consisted of 22 (36,1%) males and 39 (63,9%) females, with an average age of 33,34. In the patient group, 49 (90,7%) cases were diagnosed with RRMS, 1 (1,9%) case with PPMS, and 4 (7,4%) cases with SPMS. The average EDSS score in the patient group was 1,7. In the statistical comparison between the patient and control groups for corpus callosum volume, CCI, and TSHV parameters, a significant difference was observed, with the strongest significance in CCI (p<0,001) (p<0,05). Atrophy in the corpus callosum and cerebral hemispheres was observed in the patient group. A strong correlation between TSHV and CCV was found in the patient group. It was found that an increase in EDSS was associated with a decrease in TSHV value; however, no statistical significance was observed between CCV and CCI with EDSS score (p>0,05). When it comes to corpus callosum segments, significant atrophy was observed in the splenium in MS patients; however, no significant correlation was found between this atrophy and the EDSS score. xii In the analysis of CCV, CCI, and TSHV values according to MS subtypes in the patient and control groups, no statistical significance was observed (p>0.05). Conclusion: In our study, corpus callosum atrophy was observed in the multiple sclerosis patient group when compared with the control group. Although volumetric analyses are more prominent in assessing this atrophy, the calculation of the corpus callosum index is a relatively easier method that can be routinely used. Segmental analysis of the corpus callosum revealed atrophy in the splenium. It was observed that cerebral hemisphere atrophy in these patients correlated with corpus callosum atrophy. In a homogeneous patient group with low EDSS scores, there may not be a statistically significant difference between the EDSS score and corpus callosum atrophy. Internet-based volumetric calculation applications are current and more practical methods that can be used to evaluate atrophy in diseases affecting brain structures. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, corpus callosum, magnetic resonance imaging, volumetric analysis, atrophy, corpus callosum index, EDSS