Diagnostic brain MRI findings in primary progressive multiple sclerosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kremenchutzky ◽  
D. Lee ◽  
G.P.A. Rice ◽  
G.C. Ebers
2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kremenchutzky ◽  
D Lee ◽  
G P A Rice ◽  
G C Ebers

The clinical course of multiple sclerosis can be classified as relapsing from onset (relapsing-remitting), or progressive from onset (primary progressive -PPMS). These clinical phenotypes have been based on historical and clinical observations. It has been reported that PPMS patients tend to have quantitatively less MRI activity and disease burden. We evaluated the sensitivity and diagnostic value of conventional brain MRI scan in 143 PPMS patients. Brain MRIs were blindly evaluated to determine if they satisfied Paty and/or Fazekas diagnostic criteria. Patient were divided into those with typical atypical or normal scans. They satisfied brain MRI criteria in 92% cases. Findings included: 131 typical four atypical, and eight normal scans. All 12 non-typical scans' subject had spinal onset; spinal MRI scans were positive in four of seven cases. Sex, age of onset, site and number of symptoms involved at onset among those groups were not significantly different but accumulation of disability had a tendency to be slower in these few individuals with normal or atypical head MRI's. Although there may be quantitative differences in lesion activity/burden, MRI scanning in PPMS unexpectedly has diagnostic sensitivity very similar to that seen in RRMS. A normal brain MRI is unusual in PPMS patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 947-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charidimos Tsagkas ◽  
Stefano Magon ◽  
Laura Gaetano ◽  
Simon Pezold ◽  
Yvonne Naegelin ◽  
...  

Background: Little is known on longer term changes of spinal cord volume (SCV) in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Objective: Longitudinal evaluation of SCV loss in PPMS and its correlation to clinical outcomes, compared to relapse-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) subtypes. Methods: A total of 60 MS age-, sex- and disease duration-matched patients (12 PPMS, each 24 relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS)) were analysed annually over 6 years of follow-up. The upper cervical SCV was measured on 3D T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (MPRAGE) images using a semi-automatic software (CORDIAL), along with the total brain volume (TBV), brain T2 lesion volume (T2LV) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results: PPMS showed faster SCV loss over time than RRMS ( p < 0.01) and by trend ( p = 0.066) compared with SPMS. In contrast to relapse-onset MS, in PPMS SCV loss progressed independent of TBV and T2LV changes. Moreover, in PPMS, SCV was the only magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement associated with EDSS increase over time ( p < 0.01), as opposed to RRMS and SPMS. Conclusion: SCV loss is a strong predictor of clinical outcomes in PPMS and has shown to be faster and independent of brain MRI metrics compared to relapse-onset MS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Cortese ◽  
Carmen Tur ◽  
Ferran Prados ◽  
Torben Schneider ◽  
Baris Kanber ◽  
...  

Background: Pathology in the spinal cord of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) contributes to disability progression. We previously reported abnormal Q-space imaging (QSI)-derived indices in the spinal cord at baseline in patients with early PPMS, suggesting early neurodegeneration. Objective: The aim was to investigate whether changes in spinal cord QSI over 3 years in the same cohort are associated with disability progression and if baseline QSI metrics predict clinical outcome. Methods: Twenty-three PPMS patients and 23 healthy controls recruited at baseline were invited for follow-up cervical cord 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessment after 1 year and 3 years. Cord cross-sectional area (CSA) and QSI measures were obtained, together with standard brain MRI measures. Mixed-effect models assessed MRI changes over time and their association with clinical changes. Linear regression identified baseline MRI indices associated with disability at 3 years. Results: Over time, patients deteriorated clinically and showed an increase in cord QSI indices of perpendicular diffusivity that was associated with disability worsening, independently of the decrease in CSA. Higher perpendicular diffusivity and lower CSA at baseline predicted worse disability at 3 years. Conclusion: Increasing spinal cord perpendicular diffusivity may indicate ongoing neurodegeneration, which underpins disability progression in PPMS, independently of the development of spinal cord atrophy.


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