A new visual rating scale for white matter low attenuation on CT

The pathological substrate and clinical significance of white matter low de nsity change on computed tomography (CT) remains incompletely understood, h ampered by suboptimal rating scales. We developed a new scale and applied i t to 647 CTs in 382 patients. White matter change was categorised by region (anterior and posterior frontal, parietal, occipital), severity (mild, mod erate, severe) and extent (periventricular, extending to deep white, full t hickness). Multiplying extent by severity gave regional scores, which were summated to give an overall score. CTs were read separately by 2 radiologis ts. Intraobserver reliabilities were 0.69 and 0.55, interobserver 0.70 (K v alues). Each assessment required only 4 min. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger A G, Basel.