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Magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis: Diagnostic value and clinical correlations

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Abstract

101 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) (53 definite, 22 probable, 8 possible and 18 suspected according to the McDonald and Halliday criteria) were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to evaluate its diagnostic sensitivity compared to other diagnostic parameters such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings and auditory brainstem responses (ABR). In addition, correlations between severity of lesions on MRI and clinical data (disability duration of the disease and progression rate) and CSF immunoglobulin abnormalities were evaluated. MRI detected multiple demyelinating lesions in 96% of definite, 77% of probable, 50% of possible and 56% of suspected MS. In the same groups CSF was positive for oligoclonal banding in 85%, 68%, 50% and 37% and ABR in 82%, 50%, 80% and 28% respectively. Severity of MRI was found to correlate with disability and duration of the disease, but not with progression rate. The presence of CSF oligoclonal bands and a raised and IgG index were usually associated with more extensive white matter involvement as evaluated by MRI.

Sommario

101 Pazienti affetti da Sclerosi Multipla (SM) (53 definiti, 22 probabili, 8 possibili e 18 sospetti secondo i criteri diagnostici di McDonald e Halliday) sono stati studiati con Risonanza Magnetica Nucleare (RMN) allo scopo di valutarne la sensibilità diagnostica in confronto ad altre metodiche diagnostiche quali l'esame del liquor cerebrospinale e lo studio dei potenziali evocati uditivi (ABR).

Sono state inoltre valutate le correlazioni tra gravità degli aspetti RMN e parametri clinici (durata, grado di invalidità e tasso di progressione della malattia), e alterazioni delle immunoglobuline liquorali.

Aree multiple di demielinizzazione venivano rilevate alla RMN nel 96% delle S.M. definite, nel 77% delle probabili, nel 50% delle possibili e nel 56% delle sospette.

Negli stessi gruppi di pazienti l'esame del liquor cerebrospinale risultava positivo per la presenza di bande oligoclonali nell'85%, 68%, 50%, 80% e 28% rispettivamente.

La gravità del quadro RMN si correla alla disabilità ed alla durata della malattia, ma non con il tasso di progressione. Le alterazioni delle immunoglobuline liquorali (presenza di bande oligoclonai o elevazione dell'indice IgG) è associata ad una maggiore estensione delle lesioni della sostanza bianca rilevate alla RMN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Divisione Neurologica, Istituto Neurologico “C. Besta”, Via Celoria, 11, 20133, Milano

    Milanese C., Mantia L. La, Campi A. & Salmaggi A.

  2. Divisione Neuroradiologica, Istituto Neurologico “C. Besta”, Milano

    Savoiardo M. & Visciani A.

  3. Laboratorio Analisi, Istituto Neurologico “C. Besta”, Milano

    Tajoli Malesani L.

Authors
  1. Milanese C.
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  2. Savoiardo M.
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  3. Mantia L. La
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  4. Campi A.
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  5. Visciani A.
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  6. Salmaggi A.
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  7. Tajoli Malesani L.
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Milanese, C., Savoiardo, M., La Mantia, L. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis: Diagnostic value and clinical correlations. Ital J Neuro Sci 9, 127–134 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02337458

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