In pursuit of the central vein sign in multiple sclerosis in the cervical spinal cord at 7T

Abstract

Central vein sign is believed to be a specific marker for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) but has not yet been reported in the spine. This work used SWI in the cervical spinal cord of MS patients and healthy controls at 7T to look for evidence of central veins. SWI hypointensities were observed frequently around the cord periphery, between the white and grey matter within the cord, and along nerve roots. Hypointensities were also observed within spinal cord lesions, providing candidate evidence of central veins in lesions of the spinal cord.