The value of conventional high-field MRI in MS in the light of the McDonald criteria: a literature review

Abstract

The diagnosis of MS is based on the revised McDonald criteria and is multidisciplinary. Both clinical and paraclinical measures are included. High-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming increasingly available and it is therefore necessary to clarify possible advantages of high-field MRI in MS. The aim of this paper was to review MRI studies in MS where a direct comparison of MRI at high field with MRI at 1-1.5 tesla (T) had been performed. The studies evaluated were found by searching Pubmed with relevant terms including MeSH terms. The reviewed studies all found the conspicuity of lesions to be better at high field. Of the seven studies, six found more and bigger lesions at high-field MRI. In the present paper, the relevant MRI sequences are evaluated in detail. The detection of more lesions at high-field strength did not seem to lead to earlier diagnosis of clinically definite multiple sclerosis. Further larger studies of patients with clinically isolated syndromes are needed to settle the question of a diagnostic consequence of high-field imaging in MS. We suggest that the next revision of the McDonald diagnostic criteria include a recommendation of field strength.

Multiple Sclerosis: Immunopathology and Treatment Update

“…MS diagnosis is mainly clinically based however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assists in diagnosis [12]. As such, examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and visual induced potentials with MRI can assist in confirming the clinical suspicion of MS [12,13]. MS symptoms and disease progression are varied, with some individuals experiencing little disability while most (up to 60%) require a wheelchair 20 years from diagnosis [9].Although treatments against MS are able to decrease the relapse rate in RRMS, the prevention of long-term effects remains a problem; medications for progressive forms of MS are also limited in their efficacy.…”

Quantitative T2′ imaging in patients with clinically isolated syndrome

“…A combined approach with high- field MRI could probably further improve correlations between focal tissue changes and T2′ abnormalities(33). …”

“…Nonetheless, future studies with a larger sample of CIS patients and longitudinal T2′ imaging will shed further light on the dynamics of T2′ changes across disease stages and during disease evolution. A combined approach with high-field MRI could probably further improve correlations between focal tissue changes and T2′ abnormalities (33).…”