Clinical 3-tesla FLAIR* MRI improves diagnostic accuracy in multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate clinical fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)* 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is sensitive to perivenular inflammatory demyelinating lesions, in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Background

Central veins may be a distinguishing feature of MS lesions. FLAIR*, a combined contrast derived from clinical MRI scans, has not been studied as a clinical tool for diagnosing MS.

Methods

Two experienced MS neurologists evaluated 87 scan pairs (T₂-FLAIR/FLAIR*), separately and side-by-side, from 68 MS cases, 8 healthy volunteers, and 11 individuals with other neurological diseases. Raters judged cases based on experience, published criteria, and a visual assessment of the "40% rule," whereby MS is favored if >40% of lesions dem

SUBMITTER: George IC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4945460 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature