A semiquantative rating scale for the assessment of signal hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging

doi:10.1016/0022-510X(93)90041-V

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

Volume 114, Issue 1, January 1993, Pages 7-12

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-510X(93)90041-V Get rights and content

Abstract

Differences in grading signal hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging may explain earlier reported conflicting results in studies of normal aging and dementia. We designed a new rating scale in which periventricular and white matter signal hyperintensities as well as basal ganglia and infratentorial signal hyperintensities are rated separately in a semiquantative way. In this study we compared the inter- and intra-observer agreements of this scale to the widely used rating scale of Fazekas. We confirmed the poor to reasonable intra- and inter-observer agreements of the Fazekas scale. The new scale, although more elaborate, provided good agreements with respect to the white matter, basal ganglia and infratentorial signal hyperintensities. In rating periventricular hyperintensities this scale yielded no advantage. It is concluded that this scale may be of use in studies especially focussing on deep white matter pathology on MRI, because it provides more detailed information, with good intra- and inter-observer reliability.

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Research articleA semiquantative rating scale for the assessment of signal hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

J. Psych. Res.

Incidental subcortical lesions identified on magnetic resonance imaging in the elderly. I. Correlation with age and cerebrovascular risk factors

Stroke

A white matter disorder in dementia of the Alzheimer's type: a pathoanatomical study

Ann. Neurol.

Magnetic resonance signal abnormalities in asymptomatic individuals: their incidence and functional correlates

Eur. Neurol.

MRI signal abnormalities at 1.5 T in Alzheimer's dementia and normal aging

A.J.N.R.

Statistical Methods for Rates and Proportions

The Design and Analysis of Clinical Experiments

Cerebral blood flow in dementia

Arch. Neurol.

The relationship of high-intensity signals on Magnetic Resonance Images to cognitive and psychiatric state in Alzheimer's disease

Arch. Neurol.

Foci of increased T2 signal intensity on brain MRI scans of healthy elderly subjects

A.J.N.R.

Magnetic resonance imaging in vascular dementia

Neurology

Clinical significance of MRI white matter lesions in the elderly

Neurology

Periventricular and subcortical hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging “Rims, caps and unidentified bright objects”

Arch. Neurol.

Research article
A semiquantative rating scale for the assessment of signal hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging

Foci of increased T₂ signal intensity on brain MRI scans of healthy elderly subjects