Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Acute Attacks of Multiple Sclerosis
Yasmin Davoudi1, Mohsen Foroughipour2, Reza Torabi3
1Department of Radiology, Imam Reza Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system. In spite of various imaging modalities, the definitive diagnosis of MS remains challenging.
Objectives:
This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of acute MS attack and to compare its results with contrast enhanced MRI (CE-MRI).
Patients And Methods:
In this cross sectional study, seventy patients with definite diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS were included. CE-MRI using 0.1 mmol/kg gadolinium as well as DWI sequences were performed for all patients. The percentage of patients with positive DWI was compared with the results of CE-MRI and the consistency between the two imaging modalities was evaluated. Moreover, the relationship between the time of onset of patient's symptoms and test results for both methods were investigated.
Results:
CE-MRI yielded positive results for 61 (87%) patients and DWI yielded positive for 53 (76%) patients. In fifty patients (71.42%), both tests were positive and in six cases (8.57%), both were negative. The test results of three patients turned out to be positive in DWI, while they tested negative in CE-MRI. There was no significant relationship between the results of CE-MRI as well as DWI and the time of imaging from the onset of symptoms.
Conclusion:
These data indicate that while CE-MRI will depict more positive results, there are cases in which DWI will show a positive result while CE-MRI is negative. We suggest that the combination of these two imaging modalities might yield more positive results in diagnosing acute MS attack giving rise to a more accurate diagnosis.
Insights
Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) shows promise for diagnosing acute multiple sclerosis (MS) attacks, sometimes detecting lesions missed by contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI). Combining both methods may improve diagnostic accuracy for MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system.
- Accurate diagnosis of MS, particularly acute attacks, remains challenging despite existing imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic utility of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) for acute MS attacks.
- To compare the efficacy of DWI with contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) in diagnosing MS relapses.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study included seventy patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS.
- Both CE-MRI and DWI sequences were performed on all participants.
- Analysis involved comparing positive rates and consistency between DWI and CE-MRI, and their relation to symptom onset time.
Main Results:
- CE-MRI detected positive results in 87% of patients, while DWI identified 76%.
- Concordant positive results were observed in 71.42% of patients; both were negative in 8.57%.
- DWI identified three cases as positive where CE-MRI was negative, with no significant time-dependent relationship for either method.
Conclusions:
- While CE-MRI shows a higher positive rate, DWI can detect acute MS lesions not visible on CE-MRI.
- Combining DWI and CE-MRI may enhance the detection of acute MS attacks.
- Integrated imaging approaches could lead to more accurate MS diagnoses.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this...
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging