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A comparison between the sensitivities of 3-mm and 5-mm thick serial brain MRI for detecting lesion volume changes in
Abstract:
In this longitudinal study the authors evaluated the sensitivity of 3-mm and 5-mm magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in the detection of lesion load changes over time in multiple sclerosis (MS). The authors also correlated the changes detected with these two techniques with the changes in disability. Eighteen patients with MS underwent two MRI examinations of the brain--one at entrance into the study and one follow-up examination. At both sessions, images with 24 contiguous slices 5 mm thick and another with 40 contiguous axial slices 3 mm thick were consecutively acquired. On the same occasions, the patients' Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were rated. MR images with slices 3 mm thick showed higher lesion loads than those with slices 5 mm thick at both entrance and follow-up examinations (median, 13.4 vs 12.8 ml and 17.5 vs 17.0 ml, respectively; p < 0.0001). The correlation between MRI and EDSS changes was significant for both MRI acquisition schemes (3 mm, r = 0.64; 5 mm, r = 0.59). The data suggest that acquisition of thinner slices does not significantly increase the sensitivity of MRI of the brain in the detection of lesion load changes in MS.
Insights
Thinner magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices (3-mm) did not significantly improve detection of brain lesion changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to thicker slices (5-mm). Both MRI techniques correlated with patient disability scores.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by lesions in the brain.
- Accurate monitoring of lesion load changes is crucial for assessing disease progression and treatment efficacy in MS.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a primary tool for visualizing MS lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sensitivity of 3-mm and 5-mm brain MRI slice thickness in detecting lesion load changes over time in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To correlate MRI-detected lesion changes with changes in patient disability as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 18 patients with MS.
- Two brain MRI examinations were performed per patient: one at baseline and one follow-up.
- Both 5-mm and 3-mm contiguous axial slices were acquired consecutively during each MRI session.
- Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were recorded concurrently with MRI examinations.
Main Results:
- MR images acquired with 3-mm slices demonstrated higher lesion loads than those with 5-mm slices at both baseline and follow-up (p < 0.0001).
- Significant correlations were observed between MRI-detected lesion changes and EDSS score changes for both 3-mm (r = 0.64) and 5-mm (r = 0.59) slice acquisitions.
- Despite higher lesion volumes with thinner slices, the increase in sensitivity for detecting changes over time was not significant.
Conclusions:
- Acquisition of thinner MRI slices (3-mm) does not significantly enhance the sensitivity of detecting brain lesion load changes in multiple sclerosis compared to standard 5-mm slices.
- Both 3-mm and 5-mm MRI protocols show a significant correlation with changes in patient disability.
- Standard 5-mm slice MRI remains a valuable tool for monitoring MS lesion progression and its association with clinical disability.