scholarly journals White-matter-nulled MPRAGE at 7T reveals thalamic lesions and atrophy of specific thalamic nuclei in multiple sclerosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 987-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Planche ◽  
Jason H Su ◽  
Sandy Mournet ◽  
Manojkumar Saranathan ◽  
Vincent Dousset ◽  
...  

Background: Investigating the degeneration of specific thalamic nuclei in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains challenging. Methods: White-matter-nulled (WMn) MPRAGE, MP-FLAIR, and standard T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed on MS patients ( n = 15) and matched controls ( n = 12). Thalamic lesions were counted in individual sequences and lesion contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured. Volumes of 12 thalamic nuclei were measured using an automatic segmentation pipeline specifically developed for WMn-MPRAGE. Results: WMn-MPRAGE showed more thalamic MS lesions ( n = 35 in 9 out of 15 patients) than MP-FLAIR ( n = 25) and standard T1 ( n = 23), which was associated with significant improvement of CNR ( p < 0.0001). MS patients had whole thalamus atrophy ( p = 0.003) with lower volumes found for the anteroventral ( p < 0.001), the pulvinar ( p < 0.0001), and the habenular ( p = 0.004) nuclei. Conclusion: WMn-MPRAGE and automatic thalamic segmentation can highlight thalamic MS lesions and measure patterns of focal thalamic atrophy.

Author(s):  
Massimo Filippi ◽  
Maria A. Rocca

The classic view of multiple sclerosis (MS) as a chronic, inflammatory-demyelinating condition affecting solely the white matter (WM) of the central nervous system (CNS) has been challenged by the demonstration, from pathologic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, of an extensive and diffuse involvement of the gray matter (GM). This observation has driven the application of modern MR technology and methods of analysis to quantify the extent and distribution of damage to the different compartments of the CNS, with the ultimate goal of improving our understanding of the factors associated with the accumulation of clinical disability and cognitive impairment in these patients.


2013 ◽  
Vol 339 ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Xiang ◽  
Jian Feng He ◽  
Lei Ma ◽  
San Li Yi ◽  
Jia Ping Xu

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system and impacts substantially on patients. MS lesions are visible in conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) and the automatic segmentation of MS lesions enables the efficient processing of images for research studies and in clinical trials. A new method for the segmentation of MS white matter lesions (WML) on cMRI is presented in this paper. Firstly the Kernel Fuzzy C-Means Clustering (KFCM) is applied to the preprocessed T1-weight (T1-w) image for extracting the white matter (WM) region. Then region growing algorithm is applied to the WM region image to make a binary mask which is then superimposed on the corresponding T2-weight (T2-w) image to yield a masked image only containing WM structures and lesions. The KFCM is then reapplied to the masked image to obtain MS lesions. The testing results show that the proposed method is able to segment WML on cMRI automatically and effectively.


Author(s):  
Ahmed Samir Ghonim ◽  
Rasha Lotfy Younes ◽  
Mohamed Amin Mohamed ◽  
Mohamed Fathy Dawoud

Aims: The current work aimed to assess the diagnostically value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Double Inversion Recovery (DIR) sequence in diagnosing of multiple sclerosis. Methodology: This study conducted on (42 patients) from the Diagnostic Radiology and Medical Imaging Dep. at Tanta University Hospital in the period from March 2018 to December 2019. Results: In accordance to the total lesions loads, it was found that DIR was higher significantly than T2WI (P-value= 0.003 with a relative gaining of 22%), we found that double inversion recovery (DIR) sequence was higher significantly to FLAIR regarding the number of diagnosed lesions in 3 anatomical areas (Mixed W-GM, cortical and infra-tentorial) with relative gaining of 28%, 85% and 63% respectively. A non-significant change was found among the two sequences regarding peri-ventricular white matter, deep white matter and juxta-cortical lesions detecting. Conclusion: Conventionally MRI has corner-stone roles in diagnosing, characterizing and following-up of multi-sclerosis. Finally, we concluded that DIR can be used as a addition to or even as an alternative for typical T2 and FLAIR. Therefore, we strongly recommend the addition of DIR sequences in the everyday MR protocol of MS cases.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Lao ◽  
Robert S. Vorburger ◽  
Atul Narkhede ◽  
Yunglin Gazes ◽  
Kay C. Igwe ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundWhite matter hyperintensities (WMH) are areas of increased signal observed on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that reflect macrostructural white matter damage frequently observed in aging. The extent to which diminished microstructure precedes or results from white matter damage is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that white matter areas that show normatively lower microstructure are most susceptible to develop WMH.MethodsFive hundred fifty-seven older adults (age: 73.9±5.7yrs) underwent diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diffusion weighted imaging scans were processed into parametric maps of fractional anisotropy (FA) and T2-weighted MRI scans were segmented into WMH. All images were spatially normalized to standard space. A FA template was created to represent normative values from a separate, independent sample of young, healthy adults (N=49, age: 25.8±2.8yrs) and a WMH frequency template was created from the segmented WMH in the older adults. We compared FA values between areas defined as WMH with those defined as normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in the older participants. White matter hyperintensity frequency was binned (0-5%, 5-10%, 10-15%, 15-20%, >20%) and we determined whether WMH frequency bins were different by normative FA values defined in the younger group.ResultsFractional anisotropy values were lower (p<0.001) in WMH regions compared with NAWM regions in the older sample. Areas with higher WMH frequency in older adults had lower FA values in younger adults (5-10%>10-15%>15-20%; p<0.001).DiscussionLow FA values are observed in frank WMH, but FA is also normatively low in regions with high WMH frequency prior to damage. Regions with normatively lower microstructure are more susceptible to future damage from factors such as chronic hypoperfusion or pathology.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110196
Author(s):  
Rosa Cortese ◽  
Marco Battaglini ◽  
Francesca Parodi ◽  
Maria Laura Stromillo ◽  
Emilio Portaccio ◽  
...  

The mechanisms responsible for the favorable clinical course in multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unclear. In this longitudinal study, we assessed whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based changes in focal and diffuse brain damage are associated with a long-term favorable MS diseases course. We found that global brain and gray matter (GM) atrophy changes were milder in MS patients with long-standing disease (⩾30 years from onset) and favorable (no/minimal disability) clinical course than in sex-age-matched disable MS patients, independently of lesions accumulation. Data showed that different trajectories of volume changes, as reflected by mild GM atrophy, may characterize patients with long-term favorable evolution.


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 1585-1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Wybrecht ◽  
Françoise Reuter ◽  
Wafaa Zaaraoui ◽  
Anthony Faivre ◽  
Lydie Crespy ◽  
...  

Background: The ability of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict subsequent physical disability and cognitive deterioration after a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is weak. Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether conventional MRI changes over 1 year could predict cognitive and physical disability 5 years later in CIS. We performed analyses using a global approach (T2 lesion load, number of T2 lesions), but also a topographic approach. Methods: This study included 38 patients with a CIS. At inclusion, 10 out of 38 patients fulfilled the 2010 revised McDonald’s criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluation was performed at baseline, year 1 and year 5, and cognitive evaluation at baseline and year 5. T2-weighted MRI was performed at baseline and year 1. We used voxelwise analysis to analyse the predictive value of lesions location for subsequent disability. Results: Using the global approach, no correlation was found between MRI and clinical data. The occurrence or growth of new lesions in the brainstem was correlated with EDSS changes over the 5 years of follow-up. The occurrence or growth of new lesions in cerebellum, thalami, corpus callosum and frontal lobes over 1 year was correlated with cognitive impairment at 5 years. Conclusion: The assessment of lesion location at the first stage of multiple sclerosis may be of value to predict future clinical disability.


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