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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Does high field MRI allow an earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis?
Mike P Wattjes1, Michael Harzheim, Götz G Lutterbey
1Dept. of Radiology/Neuroradiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. m.wattjes@vumc.nl
Background:
High field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides higher lesion load measurements in patients presenting with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of demyelination and has impact upon the classification of these syndromes and potentially, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Purpose:
To investigate whether high field MRI can provide an earlier diagnosis of definite MS within the International Panel (IP) and Swanton criteria.
Methods:
Forty patients presenting with CIS suggestive of MS were included. All patients received multi-sequence MRI at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3T as well as a neurological assessment at baseline. Follow-up visits including MRI at both field strengths and neurological examinations were scheduled 3-4 and 6-7 months after the first clinical event. Based on MRI and clinical findings, fulfilled IP criteria as well as Swanton criteria were analysed.
Results:
At baseline, the higher detection rate of inflammatory lesions using high field MRI leads to higher classifications according to the Swanton criteria in 15 % of the patients. One additional patient was diagnosed with dissemination in space according to Swanton and IP criteria. During follow-up, an earlier diagnosis of definite MS could not be accomplished, neither according to the IP nor to the Swanton criteria.
Conclusion:
Although high field MRI shows a higher detection rate of inflammatory brain lesion in CIS and MS patients with an influence according to MRI criteria, this influence does not lead to an earlier diagnosis of lesion dissemination in time and therefore definite MS.
Insights
High field MRI detects more brain lesions in early demyelination, but does not speed up the diagnosis of definite multiple sclerosis (MS) using current criteria.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- High field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers improved detection of lesion load in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of demyelination.
- This enhanced detection impacts the classification of CIS and the potential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if high field MRI can facilitate an earlier diagnosis of definite MS based on the International Panel (IP) and Swanton criteria.
Main Methods:
- Forty patients with CIS underwent multi-sequence MRI at 1.5T and 3T, alongside neurological assessments.
- Follow-up assessments, including MRI and neurological exams, were conducted at 3-4 and 6-7 months post-initial event.
- Diagnosis was evaluated using fulfilled IP and Swanton criteria based on MRI and clinical findings.
Main Results:
- High field MRI increased Swanton criteria classifications in 15% of patients at baseline due to higher inflammatory lesion detection.
- One additional patient met dissemination in space criteria (Swanton and IP) at baseline.
- Despite increased lesion detection, high field MRI did not enable an earlier diagnosis of definite MS according to either IP or Swanton criteria during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- High field MRI enhances the detection of inflammatory brain lesions in CIS and MS patients, influencing MRI-based criteria.
- However, this improved detection does not translate to an earlier diagnosis of lesion dissemination in time or definite MS.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging