Improved correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with clinical status in multiple sclerosis (MS) by use of an extensive standardized imaging-protocol

Brain Stem Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Evoked Potential Studies of Symptomatic Multiple Sclerosis Patients

“…We did not find any statisti cally significant correlation between number and exten sion of BS MRI lesions and Kurtzke's functional system scores for BS [16]. Such a correlation (p < 0.05) was reported by Truyen et al [28], while other investigators [29] also reported a positive correlation in the coronal plane only (p < 0.01).…”

Correlations of brain MRI parameters to disability in multiple sclerosis

“…In most recent cross‐sectional studies, the strength of correlation between brain T 2 ‐weighted lesion load and disability has been very modest ( r =0.20–0.50) (13, 21, 28–30) and only few have demonstrated moderate correlations ( r =0.6) (31, 32). In order to avoid the selection bias inherent in studies on patients attending MS clinics and trials, this study examined a large population‐based sample of MS patients, having a balanced stratified distribution regarding age and disease duration, including patients with severe disability.…”

“…Therefore it may be maintained that the MRI group studied is representative of the MS population within the defined age and disease duration limits, reflecting the natural manifestation of the disease. This patient sample represents a broader spectrum of disability, with a median EDSS of 6 whereas other MRI studies have had median EDSS scores of 3–5 (13, 14, 28, 29, 31). Likewise, the mean disease duration in this study is longer (mean 13.6 years), where others had mean durations of 3 to 5 years and only one study had 9.8 years (13).…”

Brain magnetic resonance imaging and multimodal evoked potentials in benign and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

“…Firstly, these previous studies were performed with machines operating at lower magnetic field strengths (0 15 or 0 5 Tesla). A correlation between the severity of brain involvement as detected by MRI and the degree of disability was found in cross sectional studies with 1-5 Tesla machines9 16 but not in other studies with less powerful MR scanners. '7-'8 Secondly, none of the previous studies are free from criticism in the selection of patients.…”

“…Scans were examined consensually by three of us (MF, AC, and GS), unaware of patients' disease pattern. Enhancing and nonenhancing lesions were counted and sized for 16 anatomically defined locations (seven periventricular and nine separate from the ventricles). An arbitrary scoring system weighted for lesion size was used to estimate total and regional lesion loads: 1 point was given for each lesion with a diameter 1-5 mm, 2 points for one 6-10 mm, and 3 points for one over 10 mm in size.…”