Journal
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
Volume -, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10173-6
Keywords
Multiple sclerosis; Balanced steady-state free precession; Quantitative magnetization transfer; Magnetization transfer ratio; Diffusion tensor imaging
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study analyzed the potential of magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for the detection and evolution of new multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. The results showed that MTI provides more information than DTI and can detect tissue changes 2 to 4 months prior to their appearance on MRI.
ObjectiveThe potential of magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for the detection and evolution of new multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions was analyzed.MethodsNineteen patients with MS obtained conventional MRI, MTI, and DTI examinations bimonthly for 12 months and again after 24 months at 1.5 T MRI. MTI was acquired with balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) in 10 min (1.3 mm3 isotropic resolution) yielding both magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) parameters (pool size ratio (F), exchange rate (kf), and relaxation times (T1/T2)). DTI provided fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD).ResultsAt the time of their appearance on MRI, the 21 newly detected MS lesions showed significantly reduced MTR/F/kf and prolonged T1/T2 parameters, as well as significantly reduced FA and increased AD/MD/RD. Significant differences were already observed for MTR 4 months and for qMT parameters 2 months prior to lesions' detection on MRI. DTI did not show any significant pre-lesional differences. Slightly reversed trends were observed for most lesions up to 8 months after their detection for qMT and less pronounced for MTR and three diffusion parameters, while appearing unchanged on MRI.ConclusionsMTI provides more information than DTI in MS lesions and detects tissue changes 2 to 4 months prior to their appearance on MRI. After lesions' detection, qMT parameter changes promise to be more sensitive than MTR for the lesions' evolutional assessment. Overall, bSSFP-based MTI adumbrates to be more sensitive than MRI and DTI for the early detection and follow-up assessment of MS lesions.Clinical relevance statementWhen additionally acquired in routine MRI, fast bSSFP-based MTI can complement the MRI/DTI longitudinal lesion assessment by detecting MS lesions 2-4 months earlier than with MRI, which could implicate earlier clinical decisions and better follow-up/treatment assessment in MS patients.Key Points & BULL; Magnetization transfer imaging provides more information than DTI in multiple sclerosis lesions and can detect tissue changes 2 to 4 months prior to their appearance on MRI.& BULL; After lesions' detection, quantitative magnetization transfer changes are more pronounced than magnetization transfer ratio changes and therefore promise to be more sensitive for the lesions' evolutional assessment.& BULL; Balanced steady-state free precession-based magnetization transfer imaging is more sensitive than MRI and DTI for the early detection and follow-up assessment of multiple sclerosis lesions.Key Points & BULL; Magnetization transfer imaging provides more information than DTI in multiple sclerosis lesions and can detect tissue changes 2 to 4 months prior to their appearance on MRI.& BULL; After lesions' detection, quantitative magnetization transfer changes are more pronounced than magnetization transfer ratio changes and therefore promise to be more sensitive for the lesions' evolutional assessment.& BULL; Balanced steady-state free precession-based magnetization transfer imaging is more sensitive than MRI and DTI for the early detection and follow-up assessment of multiple sclerosis lesions.Key Points & BULL; Magnetization transfer imaging provides more information than DTI in multiple sclerosis lesions and can detect tissue changes 2 to 4 months prior to their appearance on MRI. & BULL; After lesions' detection, quantitative magnetization transfer changes are more pronounced than magnetization transfer ratio changes and therefore promise to be more sensitive for the lesions' evolutional assessment.& BULL; Balanced steady-state free precession-based magnetization transfer imaging is more sensitive than MRI and DTI for the early detection and follow-up assessment of multiple sclerosis lesions.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available