Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of STN volume in PSP using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) imaging and 3T MRI.

Background: Various MRI markers are tried to differentiate PSP from other parkinsonian disorders, but diagnosis of PSP is still challenging. STN is small nucleus involved in PSP, but measurement STN volume is difficult to clearly visualization.

Method: In this study, we evaluated 53 patients with probable PSP-RS, 53 patients with PD matched for age, sex, and disease duration and 49 healthy controls matched for age and sex. The volumes of the STN were measured using 3-T MRI and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) image. The STN volume of the PSP patients were compared with the those of PD patients and controls. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results: The age, sex, and disease duration of the participants were comparable, but PSP patients had worse motor symptoms and cognitive function. The STN volume of the PSP patients was significantly smaller than that of the PD patients and controls. The diagnostic accuracy of the STN volume measurement using QSM imaging was high, with an area under the curve of 0.901, sensitivity 0.825 and specificity 0.849. The volume of the STN was found to diminish with longer disease duration.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that STN volume measurement using QSM imaging could improve the accuracy of PSP diagnosis.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-value-of-volume-of-the-subthalamic-nucleus-in-diagnosis-of-progressive-supranuclear-palsy/