Microscopic disease in normal-appearing white matter on conventional MR images in patients with multiple sclerosis: assessment with magnetization-transfer measurements.

• DOI: 10.1148/radiology.196.2.7617869
• Publication Date: 2014-07-08T16:36:55Z
• Authors: L A Loevner; R I Grossman; J A Cohen; F J Lexa; D Kessler; D L Kolson
• Keywords: Magnetization transfer

PURPOSE: To assess for the presence of microscopic abnormalities in otherwise normal-appearing white matter on T2-weighted images patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by using magnetization-transfer (MT) measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three MS and nine healthy control subjects underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging a 1.5-T system. MT ratios (MTRs) were measured 16 areas identified conventional MS. MTRs same white-matter locations determined. The two groups compared. RESULTS: mean whole-brain MTR was 40.13% +/- 1.37 (standard deviation; range, 36.31%-42.09%); subjects, 42.93% 0.95 (range, 41.62%-44.50%). difference statistically significant (P < or = .001). Except internal capsules, each sublocation brain between .05). CONCLUSION: measurements are more sensitive than MR detection beyond resolution imaging.