American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol 17, Issue 10 1837-1842, Copyright © 1996 by American Society of Neuroradiology
ARTICLES |
Enhanced and unenhanced MR with magnetization transfer in multiple sclerosis
A Bozzao, S Bastianello, E Ferone, E Giugni, A Paolillo and L Bozzao
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of magnetization transfer and the apparent enhancement of lesions on contrast-enhanced MR images in patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo MR images obtained in 20 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, with and without magnetization transfer, were evaluated to determine the number of enhancing plaques. Comparison was made with unenhanced T1-weighted magnetization transfer images. Contrast-to-noise ratios were obtained for these lesions on both the enhanced and unenhanced magnetization transfer T1-weighted spin-echo MR images. RESULTS: Ten plaques were considered enhancing only when the enhanced magnetization transfer T1-weighted images (11% or more) were used; however, they were all hyperintense on unenhanced T1-weighted magnetization transfer images. The contrast-to-noise ratios of these lesions were 16.52 for the enhanced images and 15.65 for the unenhanced images. The two values were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multiple sclerosis, examination with contrast-enhanced magnetization transfer MR images alone may overestimate the number of enhancing plaques.
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