多发性硬化脑内病灶MRI典型及不典型表现：附82例MR1分析

目的分析我国多发性硬化病例典型及不典型影像学改变。方法回顾经McDonald诊断标准明确诊断的82例多发性硬化患者的头部MRI检查结果,分析病灶部位、大小、数目、形状、信号强度及强化方式等。结果我国多发性硬化的典型影像学表现：（1）病灶部位以脑室旁（62例,75．61％）及幕上深部白质（55例,67．07％）多见。（2）病灶数目多在10个以上（62例,75．61％）。（3）病灶直径以≤1cm为主（62例,75．61％）,〉5cm次之（23例,28．05％）。（4）信号强度及强化特征为T1WI平扫呈等或略低信号,T2WI高信号,PDWI高于脑脊液中水信号;T1WI增强图像黑洞从微小至大片状均可见,形状多呈类圆形或条片状;〈1cm／病灶显示结节状强化,1～5cm病灶一般呈环状强化,〉5cm病灶以边缘强化或内部呈不规则环状强化为主,皮质病灶多见弓状强化。我国多发性硬化的不典型影像学表现为：病灶较大,最大直径〉5cm（23例,28．05％）;强化显著且强化持续时间较长;脑干病灶多见（61例,74．39％）。结论侧脑室旁或深部白质内多发小病灶是多发性硬化的典型MRI表现;侧脑室旁病灶致侧脑室变形、大脑凸面的微小黑洞及侧脑室边缘的条片状黑洞,以及近皮质或围绕侧脑室颞角的弓状强化具有重要诊断价值。病灶大、强化显著及脑干病灶多见,是我国多发性硬化不同于欧美地区的主要表现。     

多发性硬化脑内病灶MRI典型及不典型表现:附82例MRI分析

目的分析我国多发性硬化病例典型及不典型影像学改变。方法回顾经McDonald诊断标准明确诊断的82例多发性硬化患者的头部MRI检查结果,分析病灶部位、大小、数目、形状、信号强度及强化方式等。结果我国多发性硬化的典型影像学表现:（1）病灶部位以脑室旁（62例,75.61%）及幕上深部白质（55例,67.07%）多见。（2）病灶数目多在10个以上（62例,75.61%）。（3）病灶直径以≤1 cm为主（62例,75.61%）,>5 cm次之（23例,28.05%）。（4）信号强度及强化特征为T₁WI平扫呈等或略低信号,T₁WI高信号,PDwI高于脑脊液中水信号;T₁WI增强图像黑洞从微小至大片状均可见,形状多呈类圆形或条片状;<1 cm病灶显示结节状强化,1～5 cm病灶一般呈环状强化,>5 cm病灶以边缘强化或内部呈不规则环状强化为主,皮质病灶多见弓状强化。我国多发性硬化的不典型影像学表现为:病灶较大,最大直径>5 cm（23例,28.05%）;强化显著且强化持续时间较长;脑干病灶多见（61例,74.39%）。结论侧脑室旁或深部白质内多发小病灶是多发性硬化的典型MRI表现;侧脑室旁病灶致侧脑室变形、大脑凸面的微小黑洞及侧脑室边缘的条片状黑洞,以及近皮质或围绕侧脑室颞角的弓状强化具有重要诊断价值。病灶大、强化显著及脑干病灶多见,是我国多发性硬化不同于欧美地区的主要表现。     

10例多发性硬化伴癫痫发作与MRI相关性分析

目的:探讨多发性硬化(MS)伴癫癎发作患者的临床特点与MRI所示病灶的相关性。方法:回顾性分析121例确诊为MS住院患者中10例(8.29%)伴癫癎发作的临床特点及MRI表现。结果:癫癎在MS其他症状或体征之前出现2例;癫癎发作为MS复发时唯一症状的1例;癫癎发作时已伴MS其他症状或体征者7例。10例患者头颅MRI均示双侧半球的深部白质、侧脑室旁数个斑块病灶,其中5例伴皮质-皮质下斑块病灶,2例伴局灶性皮质萎缩。5例癫发作与皮质-皮质下斑块病灶有相关性。结论:癫癎可以是MS的首发症状或复发时唯一临床表现,MS患者癫癎发作与皮质-皮质下斑块病灶相关。     

Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings in relapsing neuromyelitis optica

BACKGROUND: Some studies showed abnormalities in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of relapsing neuromyelitis optica (R-NMO) from 12 to 46%. These abnormalities are described as compatible/non-compatible with multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: To describe the abnormal brain MRI lesions in R-NMO with imaging studies conducted with more sensitive white matter change techniques. METHODS: Thirty patients with R-NMO were selected. All MRI brain studies were performed with a 1.5-T Siemens MRI system according to the Standardized MR Imaging Protocol for Multiple Sclerosis from the Consortium of MS Centers Consensus Guidelines. RESULTS: Brain MRI images were evaluated in 29 R-NMO cases because in one case the MRI images were not appropriate for the study. Of these 29 brain MRI studies, 19 cases (65.5%) had at least one or more lesions (1-57) and 10 were negative (34.4%). Brain MRI findings in 19 cases were characterized in T2/fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) by the presence of subcortical/deep white matter lesions in 16 (84.2%) cases (1-50), most of them <3 mm and without juxtacortical localization. Periventricular lesions were observed in 13 (68.4%) cases, but morphologically they were not oval, ovoid or perpendicularly orientated. Infratentorial lesions, all >3 mm, were observed in 4 (21.05%) cases without cerebellar involvement. T1 studies demonstrated absence of hypointense regions. Optic nerve enhancement was observed in 6/19 patients (31.5%). None of the brain MRI abnormalities observed were compatible with Barkhof et al. criteria of MS. CONCLUSIONS: This study, based on a Cuban patient population, with long duration of disease, good sample size and detailed characterization by MRI, demonstrated the brain MRI pattern of R-NMO patients, which is different from MS.     

脊髓多发性硬化的MRI表现与临床对照分析

目的 探讨脊髓多发性硬化(multiple sclerosis,MS)的MRI表现及其与临床的相关性。方法 分析13例脊髓MS患者,对病变的部位、范围及病变处脊髓的形态、MR信号及病变的强化程度进行分析评价并与临床症状进行对照。结果 13例脊髓MS主要发生在颈髓,急性期局部脊髓肿胀,T1加权像病变呈等信号或边缘模糊的稍低信号。T2加权像呈高信号。活动期病灶呈斑片状、环状或弓形强化。反复发作病例、多发病灶其强化多样性,临床症状多变性。结论 脊髓MS有其特征性MRI表现,其与临床有较强的相关性,能为临床诊断和治疗提供可靠的依据。     

多发性硬化的MRI与临床

报告４６例多发性硬化（ＭＳ）患者的ＭＲＩ与临床资料。其中临床确诊者３９例，实验室支持确诊者４例，临床近似确诊者３例。ＭＲＩ阳性２９例（６３．０４％）。病灶分布依序为脑室周围、大脑半球、脑干、基底节、小脑、胼胝体及视神经；本组临床定位病灶９３个，ＭＲＩ显示病灶４９个，其中３７个病灶与临床相符，１２个属亚临床病灶。结果提示ＭＲＩ对发现ＭＳ病灶虽有很高的敏感性，但ＭＳ的诊断仍需结合临床。     

Multiple sclerosis: magnetic resonance imaging, evoked responses, and spinal fluid electrophoresis

Magnetic resonance images (MRI), evoked responses (ER), and CSF findings were compared in 39 patients with possible, probable, or definite MS. MRI disclosed multiple lesions (72%) more often than ERs (55%) in the total group of patients. In possible MS, MRI showed multiple lesions in 71%, and ER abnormalities were found in 41%. MRI is the preferred test for patients with suspected MS, but ERs are useful when MRI is normal and in the evaluation of optic nerve or spinal cord lesions.     

Parkinsonism and multiple sclerosis-Is there association?

Association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and parkinsonism is rarely reported. We describe clinical, radiological and DAT scan findings in two patients presenting with parkinsonism. MRI revealed demyelinating lesions of the central nervous system consistent with MS in both patients. On the other hand, DAT scan findings were supportive of Parkinson's disease. There is still an open debate whether MS lesions can cause parkinsonism, or these are just coincidental findings of two different diseases in the same patient. Although there are cases of causal relationship between parkinsonism and MS, some literature reports and our observations suggest that Parkinson's disease and MS can coexist as two separate diseases in the same patient. It is possible that the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be aggravated by MS plaques, explaining the favorable response to corticosteroids in some patients.     

Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings in acute relapses of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

We studied cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions in three women with acute attacks of recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (r-LETM), recurrent-optic neuritis (r-ON) and r-LETM-CNS. Neuromyelitis Optica -immunoglobulin (IgG) antibody was positive in all cases. Brain MRI (1.5 Tesla) was performed according to protocol from consortium MS centre. We described the cranial lesions in brain MRI of acute relapses. These lesions were different from MS, most had an asymptomatic course which disappeared with time, protocol from consortium of MS centre criteria for brain MRI and seropositivity of NMO-IgG are useful tools for differentiate acute lesions of NMO/MS.     

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy associated with central nervous system involvement--as compared to multiple sclerosis

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) with central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating lesions has recently been reported to mimic multiple sclerosis (MS). In this paper, a series of patients with CIDP were examined to see if they had CNS involvement. CIDP patients with CNS lesions were then compared to patients with MS with peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement for similarities. CNS and PNS involvement were detected by clinical symptoms, neurological findings, neuro-otological and neuro-ophthalmological tests, electrophysiological examinations such as electroencephalography, evoked potentials, blink reflex, conventional peripheral nerve conduction studies and electromyography, as well as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There were 7 of 17 CIDP patients with CNS involvement, but only 2 of 59 MS patients with PNS lesions were found. The rate of CIDP with CNS involvement (41.2%) was higher than that of MS with PNS lesions (3.4%). The CNS signs and symptoms of 7 CIDP patients were not so constant as their PNS symptoms, and consisted of 1 case with optic neuritis, 4 cases with cerebellar atxia and/or nystagmus, and 3 cases with spinal symptoms. These signs and symptoms are all well known in MS. Prolonged latencies on evoked potentials and high signal white matter lesions on T2 weighted MRI, indicating demyelinating CNS lesions were also similar to those found in MS. The CNS involvement in those patients with CIDP was therefore similar in character to those found in MS, but was far less severe than the PNS finding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Spinal-cord MRI in multiple sclerosis

The potential of MRI of the spinal cord as a diagnostic tool in MS has recently gained much interest. Dual echo spin echo MRI is most sensitive for the detection of spinal-cord abnormalities, which range from multiple focal lesions to confluent areas of high signal intensity. In some patients, commonly those with primary progressive disease, diffuse areas of slightly increased signal intensity are found. Disappointingly, the relation between MRI findings and clinical disability is weak. Studies relating MRI findings with histopathology have revealed substantial axonal loss in the spinal cords of patients with MS, whether focal lesions are present of not. Further, diffuse cord atrophy is found in advanced MS, which may reflect axonal loss. In the diagnostic setting, spinal-cord imaging is valuable. First, asymptomatic spinal-cord lesions are very rare in disorders other than MS. For example, in a patient with equivocal brain findings such as an elderly patient with vascular-ischaemic lesions, a normal spinal-cord examination can help rule out MS. Second, presence of asymptomatic spinal lesions may help confirm a diagnosis of MS when few or no brain lesions are present.     

Childhood multiple sclerosis and allied demyelinative diseases

We report five cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) and three cases of allied demyelinative diseases starting during childhood. Three of the MS patients presented with atypical initial symptoms, such as acute encephalitis or myelitis, making an early clinical diagnosis difficult. Ophthalmologic symptoms were noted in four of MS children, and in two with allied demyelinative diseases. Therefore, if a child shows ophthalmologic symptoms (i.e. optic neuritis, ophthalmoplegia), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be conducted for the differential diagnosis of MS and other demyelinative diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is not useful for the initial diagnosis of MS, because pleocytosis and increase of oligoclonal IgG band in cerebrospinal fluid are seen in both MS and other demyelinative disorders. However, neuron specific enolase (NSE) is slightly higher in the latter than in the former. T2-weighted MRI of multiple sclerosis showed multiple high intensity areas in the white matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum, capsula interna, and crus cerebri etc. Most of these lesions were clinically silent, being characteristic of MS. In two MS cases, however, initial MRI revealed no abnormal findings. Thus, the diagnosis of MS can not be made by initial MRI only.     

Hydrosyringomyelia in demyelinating diseases

Spinal cord cavitation is a frequent finding in optic neuromyelitis (Devic's syndrome) (DS) but it is also, although rarely, observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of our study was to compare the MRI characteristics of the syringomyelic cavities in 6 patients with DS and 3 patients with MS. All the patients with DS had a relapsing clinical form with normal brain MRI. Spinal MRI revealed unenhanced central cavities which extended more than 3 vertebral bodies and remained unchanged in follow-up studies. Two patients presented multiple cavities.MS patients suffered a relapsing remitting form of the disease, they all had hyperintense T2 enhancing lesions on their spinal MRI. Moreover spinal MRI also revealed non communicating cavities which extended less than 2 vertebral bodies. Follow-up studies in MS patients revealed a reduction of both the spinal lesions and the cavities. It is still debated whether DS represents a distinct clinical entity different from MS. These findings help distinguishing both disorders in cases when spinal cavities are present and also contribute to the therapeutic choice.     

多发性硬化脑内磁共振病灶分布及其特征(附203例2年MRI随访结果)

目的　为了解多发性硬化 ( multiple sclerosis,MS)的病灶特点 ,对确诊的 2 0 3例 MS患者进行系列磁共振 ( magnetic resonance,image,MRI)观察。方法　选择确诊的缓解 -复发型 MS患者 2 0 3例 ,每 6个月检查头颅MRI一次。结果　 ( 1 ) 2 0 3例 MS患者中 ,1 72 ( 84 .7% )例脑 MRI显示脱髓鞘病灶。其中有胼胝体病灶者 90例( 5 2 % ) ,有脑干病灶者 1 0 6例 ( 6 2 % ) ,有小脑病灶者 4 6例 ( 2 8% ) ,有与脑室连接的病灶者 1 5 7例 ( 91 % ) ,有典型的卵圆形病灶者 98例 ( 5 7% ) ,病灶长轴与侧脑室切线垂直的病灶占总病灶一半以上者 1 30例 ( 76 % )。( 2 ) 2 0 3例MS患者中 ,大脑半球内和脑内无病灶者分别为 4 1例 ( 2 0 % )和 31例 ( 1 5 % )。仅脑干有病灶者 6例 ( 3% ) ,仅小脑有病灶者 2例 ( 1 % ) ,脑干和小脑都有病灶者 2例 ( 1 % )。 ( 3) 2 0 3例共检查 82 7例次 MRI,有活动病灶者 77例( 4 1 % ) ,共有活动病灶 2 6 1个 ,分布在大脑、小脑和脑干者依次为 2 2 3、1 0和 2 8个。结论　 ( 1 )在确诊 MS患者中 ,多数 ( 85 % )脑 MRI有脱髓鞘病灶 ,与欧美资料相近。( 2 )脑内有病灶者中 ,小脑有病灶者占 2 8% ,较欧美报道为低。 ( 3) T2像发现活动病灶的机率不高 ,多次复查能提高病灶的检出率 ( 4 1     

视神经脊髓炎患者33例脑部磁共振分析

目的 探讨视神经脊髓炎(neuromyelitis optica,NMO)患者脑部MRI影像学表现.方法 收集满足最新NMO诊断标准且脑部MRI表现不符合多发性硬化诊断标准的患者33例,均行脑部和脊髓MRI检查,分析其MRI影像学特点.结果 33例NMO中,脑部正常表现者5例(15.2%),异常表现28例(84.8%),其中脑内实质有明确病灶22例(66.7%),另6例(18.2%)脑内虽未见明确病灶,但深部脑白质显示了肉眼可视的对称性弥漫性脱髓鞘高信号影.22例明确病灶中,15例病灶数≥2个,7例为单个病灶.幕上近皮质、皮质下和深部脑白质区的点状非特异性病灶最多,少数为非典型的斑片状融合病灶.幕下脑干是易受累的部位(14/33,42.4%),特别是延髓(7/33,21.2%).结论 NMO患者出现脑内异常较为常见,有脑部的异常不能排除NMO的诊断.认识NMO脑内病灶对完善NMO诊断标准有帮助.     

Multiple sclerosis in childhood: contribution of serial MRI to earlier diagnosis

The authors report six children (five girls, one boy) aged 11 to 13 years, of whom four had clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and two had laboratory-supported definite MS. All had brain white matter abnormalities indicative of MS. In three cases, positive findings on the first MRI contributed significantly to their early diagnosis. Follow-up MRI studies over an average period of five months detected morphological changes in three of the children, although there was no concomitant clinical evidence. This raises the question of whether changes in clinically 'silent' lesions on follow-up MRI are antecedents of the essential MS criterion of dissemination over time, which could lead to earlier diagnosis of childhood MS. With cranial computerized tomography (CT) during the first clinical attack, a large focus with a lamellar structure mimicked a brain tumour in two patients. As CT also misses additional small lesions, it should no longer be used as the primary diagnostic method.     

Correlation of neuropsychological and MRI findings in chronic/progressive multiple sclerosis

Sixty patients with chronic/progressive MS received a newly assembled neuropsychological screening battery (NSB) and a brain MRI. A neuroradiologist blinded to NSB findings quantified cerebral lesions on MRI. We developed weighted brain area lesion scores according to number and size of cerebral lesions. Patients who were impaired on NSB testing had a significantly higher mean bihemispheric lesion score (X = 26.1) than those who were unimpaired (X = 17.4); this MRI lesion rating score correlated significantly with the cognitive summary score of the NSB (r = 0.35, p less than 0.01). However, we did not find a significant correlation between the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale and any MRI or NSB summary measures. Compared with the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), the NSB cognitive summary score yielded a prevalence estimate for cognitive impairment that is more consistent with previous findings in chronic/progressive MS. The NSB is a useful screening test for cognitive dysfunction in chronic/progressive MS because of its relationship to cerebral lesions on MRI and its greater sensitivity than the frequently used MMSE.     

The contribution of magnetic resonance imaging to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

MRI is very sensitive in showing MS lesions throughout the CNS. Using MRI for diagnostic purposes, however useful, is a complex issue because of limited specificity of findings and a variety of options as to when, how, and which patients to examine. Comparability of data and a common view regarding the impact of MRI are needed. Following a review of the typical appearance and pattern of MS lesions including differential diagnostic considerations, we suggest economic MRI examination protocols for the brain and spine. Recommendations for referral to MRI consider the need to avoid misdiagnosis and the probability of detecting findings of diagnostic relevance. We also suggest MRI classes of evidence for MS to determine the diagnostic weight of findings and their incorporation into the clinical evaluation. These proposals should help to optimize and standardize the use of MRI in the diagnosis of MS.     

Linear pontine trigeminal root lesions in multiple sclerosis: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging studies in 5 cases

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for demonstrating demyelinating lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Magnetic resonance imaging studies show that MS lesions are generally not uniform in shape, size, or distribution. Linearly shaped lesions at the trigeminal root entry zone have been occasionally reported in single cases of MS, but, to our knowlege, the frequency and the clinical features of such patients have not been comprehensively characterized. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency and the clinical and laboratory features of patients with MS who had linearly shaped lesions at the trigeminal root as seen on MRI. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective review of medical records and MRI films of Japanese patients with MS admitted to a university hospital and its affiliated hospital in Sendai, Japan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Brain MRI films of 74 consecutive Japanese patients with MS (51 females and 23 males) were studied retrospectively and the clinical and laboratory features of the patients with linearly shaped lesions at the trigeminal root were also investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: Five patients (6.8%) were shown to have T1-weighted-hypointense, T2-weighted-hyperintense, nonenhanced linear lesions in the pons on MRI, and these were uniformly localized in the intramedullary portion of the trigeminal root. All of these patients had clinically definite MS and had various types of facial sensory disturbances, such as neuralgia (1 patient), hypesthesia (2 patients), or paresthesia (3 patients). No other clinical or laboratory feature was characteristic in these 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Linear pontine trigeminal root lesions were common in our patients with MS. They were associated with various facial sensory symptoms. Since similar lesions are formed in animal models of herpes simplex virus infection, further study is needed to clarify whether these MS lesions are virally induced.     

Childhood multiple sclerosis (MS): multimodal evoked potentials (EP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comparative study

We compared the diagnostic sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evoked potential (EP) studies in a series of 19 children affected by clinically definite (16 cases) and laboratory supported (3 cases) multiple sclerosis (MS). MRI revealed abnormal areas consistent with demyelinating plaques in 18 out of 19 cases: multiple lesions in 16 and an isolated lesion in 2 cases. Abnormal areas were more frequently found in supratentorial regions than in other areas of the central nervous system. In all patients, the distribution, form and topography of the lesions were typical of MS and similar to those found in the adult form of the disease. Multimodal EP were abnormal in 16 out of 19 cases. Visual (VEP) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) abnormalities were frequently asymptomatic and VEPs were particularly sensitive in ascertaining childhood MS. MRI was slightly more sensitive than multimodal EP in confirming the clinical diagnosis of childhood MS. However, in suspected or probable MS with normal MRI, VEPs and SEPs may contribute to the definition of clinical diagnosis because of their capacity to demonstrate asymptomatic involvement in central nervous system (CNS) the optic nerve and central somatosensory pathways).