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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
Published on: December 18, 2016
Combining Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping with Automatic Zero Reference (QSM0) and Myelin Water Fraction Imaging
Y Yao1,2, T D Nguyen2, S Pandya2
1From the Department of Radiology (Y.Y., Y.Z.), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
Background And Purpose:
A hyperintense rim on susceptibility in chronic MS lesions is consistent with iron deposition, and the purpose of this study was to quantify iron-related myelin damage within these lesions as compared with those without rim.
Materials And Methods:
Forty-six patients had 2 longitudinal quantitative susceptibility mapping with automatic zero reference scans with a mean interval of 28.9 ± 11.4 months. Myelin water fraction mapping by using fast acquisition with spiral trajectory and T2 prep was obtained at the second time point to measure myelin damage. Mixed-effects models were used to assess lesion quantitative susceptibility mapping and myelin water fraction values.
Results:
Quantitative susceptibility mapping scans were on average 6.8 parts per billion higher in 116 rim-positive lesions compared with 441 rim-negative lesions (P < .001). All rim-positive lesions retained a hyperintense rim over time, with increasing quantitative susceptibility mapping values of both the rim and core regions (P < .001). Quantitative susceptibility mapping scans and myelin water fraction in rim-positive lesions decreased from rim to core, which is consistent with rim iron deposition. Whole lesion myelin water fractions for rim-positive and rim-negative lesions were 0.055 ± 0.07 and 0.066 ± 0.04, respectively. In the mixed-effects model, rim-positive lesions had on average 0.01 lower myelin water fraction compared with rim-negative lesions (P < .001). The volume of the rim at the initial quantitative susceptibility mapping scan was negatively associated with follow-up myelin water fraction (P < .01).
Conclusions:
Quantitative susceptibility mapping rim-positive lesions maintained a hyperintense rim, increased in susceptibility, and had more myelin damage compared with rim-negative lesions. Our results are consistent with the identification of chronic active MS lesions and may provide a target for therapeutic interventions to reduce myelin damage.
Insights
Chronic active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions with a hyperintense rim show increased iron deposition and more myelin damage compared to lesions without a rim. This finding may help target therapies to reduce myelin damage in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroinflammation
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Chronic active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions often exhibit a hyperintense rim on susceptibility-weighted imaging, indicative of iron deposition.
- Quantifying iron-related myelin damage in these specific lesions is crucial for understanding disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify iron deposition and associated myelin damage in MS lesions with a hyperintense rim compared to those without.
- To investigate the relationship between rim characteristics and myelin integrity over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) was performed on 46 MS patients over approximately 29 months.
- Myelin water fraction (MWF) mapping was used to assess myelin damage.
- Mixed-effects models analyzed QSM and MWF values in rim-positive versus rim-negative lesions.
Main Results:
- Rim-positive lesions showed significantly higher QSM values (indicating more iron) than rim-negative lesions.
- Rim-positive lesions exhibited greater myelin damage, with lower MWF values compared to rim-negative lesions.
- The volume of the rim at baseline negatively correlated with follow-up myelin water fraction, suggesting progressive damage.
Conclusions:
- Hyperintense rim lesions in MS are associated with increased iron deposition and more significant myelin damage.
- These findings support the identification of chronic active MS lesions and suggest potential therapeutic targets to mitigate myelin loss.
