Objective:To discuss the presentation of leukoaraiosis(LA) by diffusion tonsor imaging(DTI) and the changes of LA lesion diffusivity and anisotropy.Methods:A total of 30 cases of LA and 20 normal cases with matched age underwent conventional MRI scan and DTI.ADCav(average diffusion coefficient) and FA(fraction anisotropy) values were measured in the LA lesions

the normal appearing white matter(NAWM)around the LA lesions and the corresponding normal white matter in the normal group.All parameters were compared statistically to reveal whether there was difference between the lesions and the NAWMs.And those parameters of the NAWMs and corresponding regions of normal white matter in control group were also compared for the difference.Results:LA lesions presented to be high signal on ADCav map and low signal on FA map.Compared with NAWM in the LA cases

ADCav value of the LA lesion was higher

FA value was lower(P<0.05) and the difference was significant.Both ADCav and FA values in the corresponding white matter of the control group showed significant difference from the values in the NAWMs(P<0.05) Conclusion:DTI reflects the quantitative changes of LA lesion’s diffusivity and anisotropy

even in the early stage.