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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
08:51

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla

Published on: February 19, 2021

Deep grey matter "black T2" on 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging correlates with disability in multiple sclerosis

Y Zhang1, R K Zabad, X Wei

  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.

Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|May 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Black T2 (BT2) MRI signal in multiple sclerosis (MS) deep grey matter shows a stronger link to patient disability at 3 Tesla. This finding suggests BT2 on 3 T MRI may be a valuable measure for assessing MS progression.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Biomedical Imaging

Background:

  • T2 hypointensity (black T2, BT2) in deep grey matter is observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
  • This phenomenon is weakly correlated with patient disability at 1.5 Tesla (T) MRI.
  • Abnormal iron deposition is the suspected cause of BT2.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the correlation between deep grey matter BT2 and disability in MS patients using 3 T MRI versus 1.5 T MRI.
  • To investigate the utility of 3 T MRI for quantifying BT2 in relation to MS disability.

Main Methods:

  • Seventeen MS patients were included in the study.
  • Deep grey matter BT2 was measured using 3 T MRI and 1.5 T MRI.
  • Correlation analysis was performed between Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores and signal intensity.

Main Results:

  • A significant correlation was found between EDSS and signal intensity in the globus pallidus and caudate nucleus at 3 T MRI (r = -0.5, P < 0.05).
  • The correlation between BT2 and disability was stronger at 3 T compared to 1.5 T MRI.

Conclusions:

  • Black T2 imaging at 3 T MRI demonstrates a significant association with disability in MS patients.
  • 3 T MRI-derived BT2 may serve as a useful imaging biomarker for MS disability and warrants further investigation.

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