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Magnetization transfer: a potential method to determine the age of multiple sclerosis lesions
M M Tomiak1, J D Rosenblum, J M Prager
1University of Chicago Hospitals, Department of Radiology, IL 60637.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Magnetization transfer imaging can distinguish between acute and chronic multiple sclerosis lesions. This technique offers a reliable method for determining the age of multiple sclerosis plaques, aiding in disease management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Differentiating acute from chronic MS lesions is crucial for treatment and prognosis.
- Current imaging techniques have limitations in lesion age determination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of magnetization transfer (MT) contrast in distinguishing acute from chronic multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions.
- To assess if MT effect values correlate with the age of MS plaques.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging was performed on 13 MS patients and 8 healthy controls using a 0.1-T system.
- T2-weighted spin-echo images were acquired with and without MT contrast.
- MT effect values of MS lesions and normal-appearing white matter were calculated and compared.
Main Results:
- Healthy white matter and normal-appearing white matter in MS patients showed similar MT effect values (0.40-0.45).
- Acute MS plaques (<1 year) exhibited significantly lower MT effect values (0.05-0.26) compared to older plaques (0.25-0.41).
- The difference in MT effect values between acute and chronic MS lesions was statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Magnetization transfer imaging demonstrates a statistically significant difference between acute and chronic MS lesions.
- MT effect values may reflect the histologic evolution of MS plaques over time.
- MT imaging shows promise as a reliable method for assessing the age of MS lesions.