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Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Reduced diffusion in a subset of acute MS lesions: a serial multiparametric MRI study
1Department of Neurology, UniversitätsMedizin Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|May 12, 2012
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) reveals a transient reduction in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) during the early evolution of acute multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. This early phase is followed by ADC normalization, indicating vasogenic edema development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion characterization often focuses on early disease pathology.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is sensitive to acute and chronic tissue changes in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the development of acute MS lesions using DWI within a multiparametric MRI protocol.
- To investigate early pathological changes in MS lesions.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-two patients with suspected central nervous system demyelination underwent MRI screening.
- Patients with acute lesions showing reduced apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were studied with serial MRI for up to 4 months.
Main Results:
- Ten patients with reduced ADC lesions were examined 4-7 times (52 total examinations).
- A characteristic sequence of signal changes was identified: early ADC reduction, followed by normalization/pseudonormalization with contrast enhancement, and later ADC elevation.
Conclusions:
- Transient ADC reduction in early MS lesions delineates a very early phase of evolution.
- Subsequent ADC pseudonormalization correlates with vasogenic edema development in MS lesions.
