Vitreous Humor Diffusion Changes in Behcet's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the diffusional changes in the vitreous humor in multiple sclerosis and Behcet's disease. Materials and Methods: Apparent diffusion coefficient values were investigated in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging scans of a total 111 vitreous, 31 of which were Behcet's disease patients, 40 had multiple sclerosis and 40 were healthy volunteers. Then, multiple sclerosis and Behcet's disease group were statistically compared with healthy volunteers and their apparent diffusion coefficient values amongst themselves. Results: There was no significant difference in terms of age and sex distribution among the three study groups (p>0.05). While there was no significant difference between multiple sclerosis and control groups (p>0.05), apparent diffusion coefficient values of Behcet's patients were significantly lower than multiple sclerosis and control groups (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the patients with uveitis and those without uveitis in Behcet's disease. The apparent diffusion coefficient value of 2934,3(x10(-6) mm(2)/s) had a very high sensitivity and specificity (72.42-92.5%) for the Behcet's group, and by the use of ROC curve analysis, the detected cut off value for Behcet's disease was <= 2934,3(x10(-6) mm(2)/s). Conclusion: Our study showed that diffusion values in the vitreous humor were found to be decreased in patients with Behcet's disease, in comparison with the multiple sclerosis and the control groups. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been reported before.