Magnetic resonance imaging perfusion is associated with disease severity and activity in multiple sclerosis
Sowa, Piotr; Nygaard, Gro Owren; Bjørnerud, Atle; Celius, Elisabeth Gulowsen; Harbo, Hanne Flinstad; Beyer, Mona K.
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Accepted version
Permanent lenke
https://hdl.handle.net/10642/5827Utgivelsesdato
2017Metadata
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Originalversjon
Sowa PW, Nygaard GO, Bjørnerud A, Celius EG, Harbo HF, Beyer MK. Magnetic resonance imaging perfusion is associated with disease severity and activity in multiple sclerosis. Neuroradiology. 2017;59(7):655-664 http://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-017-1849-4Sammendrag
Purpose
The utility of perfusion-weighted imaging in multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare baseline normalized perfusion measures in subgroups of newly diagnosed MS patients. We wanted to test the hypothesis that this method can differentiate between groups defined according to disease severity and disease activity at 1 year follow-up.
Methods
Baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including a dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion sequence was performed on a 1.5-T scanner in 66 patients newly diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. From the baseline MRI, cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT) maps were generated. Normalized (n) perfusion values were calculated by dividing each perfusion parameter obtained in white matter lesions by the same parameter obtained in normal-appearing white matter. Neurological examination was performed at baseline and at follow-up approximately 1 year later to establish the multiple sclerosis severity score (MSSS) and evidence of disease activity (EDA).
Results
Baseline normalized mean transit time (nMTT) was lower in patients with MSSS >3.79 (p = 0.016), in patients with EDA (p = 0.041), and in patients with both MSSS >3.79 and EDA (p = 0.032) at 1-year follow-up. Baseline normalized cerebral blood flow and normalized cerebral blood volume did not differ between these groups.
Conclusion
Lower baseline nMTT was associated with higher disease severity and with presence of disease activity 1 year later in newly diagnosed MS patients. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether baseline-normalized perfusion measures can differentiate between disease severity and disease activity subgroups over time.