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[Nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in multiple sclerosis. Comparison of spinal and cerebral findings]
U Schneider1, M Wüllenweber, K Hrastnik
1Neurologische Klinik des Diakoniekrankenhauses Rotenburg/Wümme.
Abstract:
Out of a total number of 49 patients with clinically defined multiple sclerosis 46 were examined by cerebral and 44 by spinal MRI. Fifteen out of 44 patients with a sensory level as a symptom of spinal cord lesion on neurological examination had corresponding lesions in the spinal MRI. Morphological lesions were revealed by MRI in three patients without spinal symptoms. There were two patients without any spinal signs at clinical examination who had no spinal lesions in MRI. In this study the sensitivity of detecting multiple lesions by MRI was high with 98% in the brain and 82% in the spinal cord. The number of cerebral and spinal MRI lesions was compared. It is concluded that there is a correlation between the extent of cerebral and spinal lesions in MRI and the clinical status described by the Kurtzke disability status scale.
Insights
This study highlights the high sensitivity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in detecting multiple sclerosis lesions in both the brain and spinal cord. Findings show a correlation between lesion extent and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Context:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Accurate lesion detection is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Cerebral and spinal lesions contribute to MS pathology and disability.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the sensitivity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in detecting cerebral and spinal lesions in patients with clinically defined multiple sclerosis.
- To compare the number of cerebral and spinal MRI lesions.
- To investigate the correlation between lesion burden and clinical disability.
Summary:
- Cerebral MRI detected lesions in 98% of patients, while spinal MRI detected lesions in 82% of patients.
- Fifteen of 44 patients with sensory level symptoms had corresponding spinal cord lesions.
- Three patients without spinal symptoms showed lesions on spinal MRI, indicating subclinical disease.
- A correlation was found between the extent of cerebral and spinal lesions and the Kurtzke disability status scale.
Impact:
- MRI is a highly sensitive tool for diagnosing MS and assessing disease burden.
- Findings emphasize the importance of spinal MRI in MS evaluation, even in the absence of clear clinical signs.
- Understanding the relationship between lesion load and disability can inform treatment strategies and prognosis.