[MRI and the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis]

88 patients aged 22-70 (mean 44) years, presenting with symptoms and/or signs of multiple sclerosis, were investigated by MRI for the purpose of revealing MS-like lesions. 54% of all patients had MRI scans suggestive of MS. Patients with clinically definite MS had MS-suggestive lesions in 85% of cases, and none was normal. In patients with possible signs or symptoms of MS the rate of MS-suggestive MRI scans was 34%. MS lesions can be detected, in decreasing order, in the white matter of the hemispheres (centra semiovalia), the periventricular system, the basal ganglia and the posterior fossa. MRI confirms the diagnosis of clinically definite MS and diagnoses MS in cases with questionable MS symptoms or signs.