Related Experiment Videos
Brain and spinal cord MR in benign multiple sclerosis: a follow-up study
M Filippi1, A Campi, V Martinelli
1Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele, University of Milan, Italy.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|November 1, 1996
Summary
In benign multiple sclerosis (MS), higher lesion volumes correlate with increased relapses and new lesions. Some patients with high lesion loads may still develop progressive disease despite initial benignity.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
- Benign MS is characterized by minimal disability accumulation over time.
- Understanding the evolution of benign MS is crucial for predicting long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the nature of disability progression in patients with benign multiple sclerosis.
- To identify predictors of clinical worsening in a cohort of benign MS patients.
- To explore the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MR) findings and clinical course.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) study was conducted.
- 19 patients diagnosed with benign multiple sclerosis were included.
- Conventional T2-weighted and T1-weighted MR imaging, along with magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) measurements, were utilized.
Main Results:
- Higher lesion volumes on initial T2-weighted MR images correlated with more frequent relapses and new MR lesions during follow-up.
- New lesions in patients who developed progressive deficits showed lower MTR values compared to stable patients.
- A significant increase in hypointense lesion volumes on T1-weighted images was observed in patients with progressive neurological deficits.
Conclusions:
- Benign MS patients exhibit distinct disease evolution patterns, with some maintaining low clinical and MR activity.
- Factors such as lesion location, size, and characteristics may influence disability accumulation.
- Even with a benign clinical course and high MR lesion burden, the risk of developing secondary progressive MS persists.