Multiparametric quantitative MRI for the evaluation of dysthyroid optic neuropathy

Objective To evaluate the ability of quantitative MRI parameters for predicting dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). Methods We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical features and 3.0 T MRI data of 59 patients with Graves orbitopathy (GO), with ( n = 26) and without DON ( n = 33). We compared MRI quantitative parameters, including the modified muscle index (mMI), proptosis, volume of intra-orbital fat, mean apparent diffusion coefficient value, and T2 value of the optic nerve among patients with and without DON. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with DON. Moreover, we performed a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and decision curve analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the identified parameters for DON. Results We studied 118 orbits (43 and 75 with and without DON, respectively). The mMI and mean T2 value of the optic nerve were significantly greater in orbits with DON ( p