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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Evaluating the Association between Enlarged Perivascular Spaces and Disease Worsening in Multiple Sclerosis
Michele Cavallari1, Svetlana Egorova2, Brian C Healy2
1Center for Neurological Imaging, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Background And Purpose:
Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVSs) have been associated with relapses and brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the association of EPVS with clinical and MRI features of disease worsening in a well-characterized cohort of relapsing-remitting MS patients prospectively followed for up to 10 years.
Methods:
Baseline EPVSs were scored on 1.5T MRI in 30 converters to moderate-severe disability, and 30 nonconverters matched for baseline characteristics.
Results:
EPVS scores were not significantly different between converters and nonconverters, nor associated with accrual of lesions or brain atrophy.
Conclusions:
Our preliminary findings from a relatively small study sample argue against a potential use of EPVS as early indicator of risk for disease worsening in relapsing-remitting MS patients in a clinical setting. Although the small sample size and clinical 1.5T MRI may have limited our ability to detect a significant effect, we provided estimates of the association of EPVS with clinical and MRI indicators of disease worsening in a well-characterized cohort of MS patients.
Insights
Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVSs) do not appear to predict disease worsening in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). This study found no significant association between EPVS and clinical or MRI indicators of MS progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVSs) are linked to disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Understanding EPVS association with disease worsening is crucial for MS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between EPVS and clinical/MRI markers of disease worsening.
- To assess EPVS as a potential early indicator of risk in relapsing-remitting MS.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of relapsing-remitting MS patients over 10 years.
- Baseline 1.5T MRI assessment of EPVS in converters and non-converters to moderate-severe disability.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in EPVS scores between patient groups.
- EPVS scores did not correlate with lesion accumulation or brain atrophy.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest EPVS is not a reliable early predictor of MS worsening.
- Further research with larger samples and advanced MRI may be needed.
