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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Comparison of diffusion-weighted imaging and enhanced T1-weighted sequencing in patients with multiple sclerosis
Amin Abolhasani Foroughi1, Roohollah Salahi1, Alireza Nikseresht2
11 Medical Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz Iran.
Abstract:
Introduction The purpose of this study was to assess whether demographic, brain anatomical regions and contrast enhancement show differences in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with increased diffusion lesions (ID group) compared with diffusion restriction (DR group). Method MRI protocol comprised T1- and T2-weighted sequences with and without gadolinium (Gd), and sagittal three-dimensional FLAIR sequence, DWI and ADC maps were prospectively performed in 126 MS patients from January to December 2015. The investigation was conducted to evaluate differences in demographic, cord and brain regional, technical, and positive or negative Gd contrast imaging parameters in two groups of ID and DR. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS. Results A total of 9.6% of patients showed DR. In the DR group, 66.6% of the patients showed contrast enhancement of plaques, whereas 29.2% of the IR group showed enhancement of plaques. The most prevalent group was non-enhanced plaques in the ID group, followed by Gd-enhanced plaques in the ID group. Patients in the ID group (90.4%) were significantly more than in the DR group (9.6%). Out of the 40 patients with Gd-enhanced plaques, 80.5% was from the ID group and 19.5% from the DR group. Conclusion MRI of the brain, unlike of the cord, with Gd demonstrates significant difference in enhancement between the two groups ( p < 0.05). No significant difference was seen in demographic, cord and brain regional, and technical parameters, EDSS, disease duration, and attack rate as well as demographic and regional parameters between the ID and decrease diffusion groups ( p > 0.05).
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with increased diffusion lesions (ID group) showed significantly more contrast enhancement on brain MRI compared to those with diffusion restriction (DR group). Demographic and regional factors did not differ significantly between the groups.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by demyelination and axonal damage.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping are advanced MRI techniques used to assess water molecule movement in tissues.
- Understanding lesion characteristics, such as diffusion patterns and contrast enhancement, is crucial for MS diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in demographic factors, brain anatomical regions, and gadolinium (Gd) contrast enhancement between MS patients with increased diffusion (ID) and diffusion restriction (DR) lesions.
- To compare imaging parameters, including Gd contrast enhancement, between the ID and DR groups in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 126 MS patients who underwent a specific MRI protocol including T1- and T2-weighted sequences with and without Gd contrast, 3D FLAIR, DWI, and ADC maps.
- Patients were categorized into ID and DR groups based on diffusion imaging findings.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS to compare demographic, regional, technical, and contrast enhancement parameters between the groups.
Main Results:
- Only 9.6% of MS patients exhibited diffusion restriction (DR).
- Gd-enhanced plaques were significantly more prevalent in the ID group (29.2%) compared to the DR group (66.6%), with 80.5% of all Gd-enhanced plaques found in the ID group.
- Brain MRI with Gd contrast showed a significant difference in enhancement between the ID and DR groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Brain MRI with gadolinium contrast enhancement can differentiate between MS patients with increased diffusion lesions and those with diffusion restriction.
- No significant differences were observed in demographic parameters, disease duration, attack rate, or regional MRI findings between the ID and DR groups.
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