[Magnetic resonance imaging of disseminated sclerosis]

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease. Paraclinical examinations may contribute to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a very high sensitivity concerning multiple sclerosis, and has made it possible to visualize multiple sclerosis plaques in vivo, to follow each plaque over the course of time and in this way to obtain information about the pathogenesis. MRI has shown that the size of plaques may vary considerably, and that plaques are dynamic structures with the ability to change in size over few weeks. By using MRI and the contrast agent Gadolinium-DTPA, it is possible to distinguish a newly developed plaque from an older one. Therefore, MRI has become an important examination in therapeutic trials. Just now, MRI with Gadolinium-DTPA is being used to evaluate the efficacy of plasmapheresis and immunoglobulin treatment in a joint study between Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre Hospital.