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American Heart Association, Stroke, 6(44), p. 1732-1735, 2013

DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.111.000620

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Rating Method for Dilated Virchow-Robin Spaces on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Background and Purpose— Dilated Virchow–Robin spaces are an emerging neuroimaging biomarker, but their assessment on MRI needs standardization. Methods— We developed a rating method for dilated Virchow–Robin spaces in 4 brain regions (centrum semiovale, basal ganglia, hippocampus, and mesencephalon) and tested its reliability in a total of 125 MRI scans from 2 population-based studies. Six investigators with varying levels of experience performed the ratings. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to determine intra- and interrater reliability. Results— Intrarater reliability was excellent for all 4 regions (intraclass correlation coefficient, >0.8). Interrater reliability was excellent for the centrum semiovale and hippocampus (intraclass correlation coefficient, >0.8) and good for the basal ganglia and mesencephalon (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.6–0.8). This did not differ between the cohorts or experience levels. Conclusions— We describe a reliable rating method that can facilitate pathogenic and prognostic research on dilated Virchow–Robin spaces using MRI.