Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025
08:51
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
9.4K
Interpretation of Brain Volume Increase in Multiple Sclerosis.
Tomas Uher1, Niels Bergsland2,3, Jan Krasensky4
1Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
Summary
Apparent brain volume increase (BVI) occurs frequently in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but is often due to measurement error rather than disease stabilization. Clinicians should use precise methods for brain volume analysis in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Brain volume changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) are challenging to interpret due to high measurement variability.
- The occurrence and clinical significance of apparent brain volume increase (BVI) in MS patients remain uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the prevalence of BVI in MS patients.
- To identify factors associated with BVI in MS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2,317 brain MRI scans from 366 MS patients and 132 scans from 44 controls.
- Volumetric analysis using SIENA and ScanView to detect BVI (brain volume change >0%).
Main Results:
- BVI was observed in 26.3% of longitudinal MS scans (SIENA).
- Repeated BVI occurred in 15.9% of cases and was associated with clinical disease activity in 50%.
- BVI correlated with shorter time intervals, lower T2 lesion volume increase, and higher normalized brain volume.
Conclusions:
- Apparent brain volume increase is common in short-term MS follow-up and not indicative of disease stabilization.
- Measurement error likely contributes significantly to BVI in most cases.
- Clinicians must exercise caution when interpreting brain volume changes in MS and utilize precise quantification methods.
