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Does high field MRI allow an earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis?

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Abstract

Background

High field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides higher lesion load measurements in patients presenting with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of demyelination and has impact upon the classification of these syndromes and potentially, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Purpose

To investigate whether high field MRI can provide an earlier diagnosis of definite MS within the International Panel (IP) and Swanton criteria.

Methods

Forty patients presenting with CIS suggestive of MS were included. All patients received multi-sequence MRI at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3T as well as a neurological assessment at baseline. Follow-up visits including MRI at both field strengths and neurological examinations were scheduled 3–4 and 6–7 months after the first clinical event. Based on MRI and clinical findings, fulfilled IP criteria as well as Swanton criteria were analysed.

Results

At baseline, the higher detection rate of inflammatory lesions using high field MRI leads to higher classifications according to the Swanton criteria in 15 % of the patients. One additional patient was diagnosed with dissemination in space according to Swanton and IP criteria. During follow-up, an earlier diagnosis of definite MS could not be accomplished, neither according to the IP nor to the Swanton criteria.

Conclusion

Although high field MRI shows a higher detection rate of inflammatory brain lesion in CIS and MS patients with an influence according to MRI criteria, this influence does not lead to an earlier diagnosis of lesion dissemination in time and therefore definite MS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Radiology/Neuroradiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    M. P. Wattjes MD, G. G. Lutterbey MD, F. Hojati MD, B. Simon MD & H. H. Schild MD

  2. MS Center Amsterdam, Dept. of Radiology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081, HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. P. Wattjes MD & F. Barkhof MD, PhD

  3. Dept. of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    M. Harzheim MD & S. Schmidt MD

Authors
  1. M. P. Wattjes MD
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  2. M. Harzheim MD
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  3. G. G. Lutterbey MD
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  4. F. Hojati MD
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  5. B. Simon MD
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  6. S. Schmidt MD
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  7. H. H. Schild MD
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  8. F. Barkhof MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. P. Wattjes MD.

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Wattjes, M.P., Harzheim, M., Lutterbey, G.G. et al. Does high field MRI allow an earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis?. J Neurol 255, 1159–1163 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0861-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0861-3

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