Deep grey matter black T2 on 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging correlates with disability in multiple sclerosis

T2 hypointensity (black T2, BT2) in the deep grey matter of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients correlate weakly with disability at 1.5 T. BT2 is likely to be caused by abnormal iron deposition. We compared the correlation between disability and deep grey matter BT2 measured on 3T MRI and on 1.5T MRI in 17 MS patients. We observed a significant correlation between expanded disability status scale and signal intensity on 3 T MRI in the globus palliclus and the caudate nucleus (r = -0.5, P < 0.05). BT2 at 3 T may be a useful MRI measure associated with disability in MS and warrants further study. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 880-883. http://msj.sagepub.com.