Multiple Sclerosis and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Overview

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating process presently referred to autoimmune diseases. Its diagnostics is based onclinical examination and paraclinical tests (magnetic resonance, examination of CSF and evoked potentials recording).Magnetic resonance (MR) has the highest significance, both for the diagnostics and for the monitoring of thecourse of disease and results of treatment. Results of magnetic resonance are not specific for the multiple sclerosisand therefore for the reliable diagnosis the McDonadl’s criteria have to be fulfilled. It appears thatmagnetic resonanceis more sensitive to progression of disease than the clinical examination. Monitoring of the course of disease requiresnew techniques ofMR imaging.Automatic, software assisted determination of plaque volumes in T2 and T1 weightedimages – so called „lesion load„, is checked during the patient’s treatment. Assessment of brain volume determinesprogression of atrophy. The aim of all the new methods of MR imaging is to search for a reliable technique of thedisease monitoring and namely for the prediction of disease progression.

Key words:
Multiple sclerosis, diagnostics, magnetic resonance imaging, volumetry.