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Periventricular plaques in multiple sclerosis: irreversible? An MRI follow-up study
1Department of Neurology, Rudolf Virchow University Clinic, Free University of Berlin, FRG.
European Neurology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Serial MRIs reveal distinct lesion behaviors in multiple sclerosis (MS). Nonperiventricular plaques often enlarge or appear new, while periventricular lesions show limited remission, offering insights into disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
- Understanding lesion evolution is crucial for monitoring MS progression and treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in periventricular and nonperiventricular lesions in multiple sclerosis patients using serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- To correlate MRI findings with potential histopathological stages of demyelination plaques.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up MRI scans were performed over 2-3 years on 50 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- Lesion characteristics, including location (periventricular vs. nonperiventricular), size, and appearance, were analyzed over time.
Main Results:
- Nonperiventricular lesions demonstrated significant activity, with 90% of patients showing new or enlarged lesions.
- Periventricular plaques exhibited limited remission, typically appearing as ovoid lesions near the lateral ventricles' central part.
- 72% of patients displayed more pronounced periventricular lesions on the second scan, indicating ongoing disease activity.
Conclusions:
- Serial MRI is valuable for assessing the dynamic behavior of demyelination plaques in multiple sclerosis.
- Distinct patterns of lesion evolution exist between periventricular and nonperiventricular sites in MS.
- Findings suggest that MRI can provide inferences about the histopathological stage of individual MS lesions.