[Magnetic resonance monitoring in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis]

The introduction of the method of magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) proved to be very helpful in dealing with the problem of early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) but has not finally solved it. There have appeared reports about the existence of instrumentally negative forms of MS. We attempted to objectivize with MR method an early stage of MS in 82 patients. Of these, 15 subjects who had a clear clinical picture as a result of a single MR-investigation (the unit "Bruker", Germany) did not reveal any foci of demyelinization. In the above patients, MR-monitoring was conducted over three years 2 to 5 times, as a result of which undertaking we managed to visualize demyelination foci in 12 subjects (81%) with predominant localization thereof in the periventricular area. Clear clinical symptomatology, remitting course confirmed by visualization of multiple demyelinating foci in the central nervous system with the aid of MRT permit making an accurate diagnosis of MS, which fact determines a long-continued immunomodulating therapy of this grave medical condition.