Abstract

Aims & objectives: We aim to evaluate the correlation between the spectrum of white matter diseases and carotid arterial system; to elucidate the pathophysiology and risk factors of white matter diseases.

Materials & methods: In this study conducted during 2016-2017, 32 patients were referred to hospital Radiology Department, P.B.M. hospital, Bikaner, Rajasthan. The age range chosen was of 60-88 years as there are increased signals on T2-weighted MR images, indicating periventricular white matter diseases, were examined by duplex Doppler evaluation of the carotid arterial system. Hitachi Prosound Aloka Alpha A7 device a 7.5-15 MHz probe was used. The control group comprised 36 patients which were of the same age as that of the patients chosen between 60-88 years. IMT (intimomedial thickness) complex of the carotid arteries was evaluated to assess the degree of carotid stenosis.

Conclusion: As per the results obtained in our study with patients of white matter diseases of geriatric age group, there were associated increased thicknening of the intimo-medial layer of the arterial tree. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the ischemic process lead to the development of white matter diseases. This hypothesis also shows that, white matter diseases occurs following reactive gliosis secondary to chronic ischemia, induced by plugging of small arteries supplying the white matter region.

Keywords: White matter diseases; Carotid; Intima; MR; Imaging