脊髓型多发性硬化的MRI表现

目的总结分析脊髓型多发性硬化的MRI表现。方法搜集经临床证实的脊髓型多发性硬化11例,均行MRI检查,对其临床及MRI资料进行回顾性分析。结果脊髓型多发性硬化的特征性MRI表现为,11例患者的病灶以颈髓多见,病变脊髓在T1WI像为低或等信号,T2WI像为高信号,病灶位于脊髓两侧和后部,病灶活动期呈斑片状或边缘强化,应用糖皮质激素试验性治疗对脊髓出现的可疑脱髓鞘病灶者有一定的帮助。结论脊髓型多发性硬化有其特征性MRI表现,MRI有助于脊髓型多发性硬化的诊断,是目前诊断脊髓型多发性硬化最敏感的影像学方法 。     

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。     

A spinal cord MRI study of benign and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

This study was performed to achieve a better definition of the nature of the disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Axial spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at C5 was obtained in 15 patients with benign MS, 17 patients with secondary progressive MS and 10 healthy controls. Patients with secondary progressive MS had smaller spinal cord cross-sectional area (P = 0.01) and transverse diameter (P = 0.006) than patients with benign MS. The degree of disability was inversely correlated with both the cross-sectional area (r = –0.6,P = 0.0018) and transverse diameter (r = –0.5,P = 0.0032) of the cord. Spinal cord atrophy was found in 7 (41%) patients with secondary progressive MS and in 2 (13%) with benign MS. These findings suggest that destructive pathology within MS lesions might play a relevant role in the development of disability in MS.     

脊髓型多发性硬化临床诊断分析

目的 总结分析脊髓型多发性硬化(MS)的临床特点和MRI表现.方法 回顾性分析21例脊髓型MS的临床特点和MRI表现,所有患者行脊髓和颅脑MRI检查.结果 脊髓型MS除有脊髓病变的临床表现外,临床症状和体征的多样性是其特点,如感觉障碍、肢体无力、视力障碍等;脊髓内病灶的MRI特点是不规则斑片状和条带状异常信号,位于脊髓两侧和后部,在T:WI像上为高或稍高信号,在T1WI上为等信号或稍低信号;80.9%(17/21)脊髓型MS合并脑内病灶.结论 脊髓型MS临床表现呈多样性,MRI可以准确显示脊髓内病灶,颅脑MRI检查有助于脊髓型MS的诊断.     

多发性硬化脊髓受累临床与MRI对照研究

目的分析多发性硬化脊髓受累患者临床表现及MRI影像学特点,并探讨其临床诊断意义。方法回顾分析2006年1月-2009年12月住院治疗的46例多发性硬化脊髓受累患者的临床资料及影像学表现。结果起病形式以急性（58.70%,27/46）或亚急性（34.78%,16/46）为主,临床主要表现为肢体瘫痪（95.65%,44/46）、感觉障碍（84.78%,39/46）和尿潴留（67.39%,31/46）。MRI受累部位以颈髓最常见（45.65%21/46）,其次为胸髓（28.26%,13/46）,呈脊髓内单一或散在多发长T₁、长T₂斑片状异常信号影,病灶长度一般不超过2个椎体节段（84.78%,39/46）,个别患者（15.22%,7/46）病灶长度超过2个椎体节段;增强扫描可有不同程度强化（78.26%,36/46）。结论多发性硬化脊髓受累患者临床表现复杂多样,MRI脊髓受累可呈现单一或散在多发病灶,病灶长度较少超过2个椎体节段,但病灶节段延长不能排除多发性硬化。MRI是诊断多发性硬化脊髓受累最敏感和最特异的影像学检查方法。     

Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord involvement: 28 cases

In patients with clinically isolated spinal disease, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a non-invasive method of detecting surgically treatable causes and is also useful in detecting asymptomatic brain lesions where the cord syndrome is due to multiple sclerosis (MS). We report the findings of spinal and brain MRI in 28 patients with spinal cord disorder due to MS. It was possible to detect intrinsic plaques reliably in the majority of patients (60.7%) with clinical findings of spinal cord MS. The results of MRI are compared with the clinical status and with cerebrospinal fluid findings and evoked potentials.     

多发性硬化脊髓受累临床与MRI对照研究

目的分析多发性硬化脊髓受累患者临床表现及MRI影像学特点,并探讨其临床诊断意义。方法回顾分析2006年1月-2009年12月住院治疗的46例多发性硬化脊髓受累患者的临床资料及影像学表现。结果起病形式以急性（58．70％,27／46）或亚急性（34．78％,16／46）为主,临床主要表现为肢体瘫痪（95．65％,44／46）、感觉障碍（84．78％,39／46）和尿潴留（67．39％,31／46）。MRI受累部位以颈髓最常见（45．65％,21／46）,其次为胸髓（28．26％,13／46）,呈脊髓内单一或散在多发长T。、长T：斑片状异常信号影,病灶长度一般不超过2个椎体节段（84．78％,39／46）,个别患者（15．22％,7／46）病灶长度超过2个椎体节段;增强扫描可有不同程度强化（78．26％,36／46）。结论多发性硬化脊髓受累患者临床表现复杂多样,MRI脊髓受累可呈现单一或散在多发病灶,病灶长度较少超过2个椎体节段,但病灶节段延长不能排除多发性硬化。MRI是诊断多发性硬化脊髓受累最敏感和最特异的影像学检查方法。     

Increased S-nitrosothiols are associated with spinal cord injury in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disorder associated with inflammation, demyelination and axonal damage. In search of potential biomarkers of spinal cord lesions in MS related to nitric oxide metabolites, we measured total nitrite and nitrate levels, and protein-bound nitrotyrosine and S-nitrosothiol concentrations in the serum of MS patients at different stages of the disease. Sixty-eight patients and 36 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Total nitrite and nitrate levels were augmented in relapsing-remitting MS, while increased S-nitrosothiol concentrations were found both in relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive MS. Further analysis demonstrated that S-nitrosothiol levels were selectively increased in patients with spinal cord injury. The data suggest that high S-nitrosothiol concentration may be a potential serum biomarker for spinal cord injury in MS.     

多发性硬化患者颈髓扩散张量成像研究

目的 通过扩散张量成像研究多发性硬化患者常规MRI表现正常脊髓(NASC)的改变,并探讨其临床应用价值.方法 采用平面回波成像技术对13 例多发性硬化患者和13 例健康志愿者施行颈髓扩散张量成像检查,分别测量第2 ~ 5 颈椎(C2 ~ 5)水平前索、后索、侧索及灰质兴趣区的部分各向异性(FA)值及平均扩散率(MD)值,比较两组之间所存在的差异性;相关分析检验多发性硬化组患者FA值和MD 值与扩展残疾状态量表(EDSS)评分之间的关系.结果 与正常对照组相比,多发性硬化组患者C2 ~ 5 前索、侧索、后索和灰质NASC 的FA 值降低、MD 值升高(均P < 0.05);相关分析显示,FA 值与EDSS 评分呈负相关(r = - 0.328 ~ - 0.207,P = 0.001 ~ 0.035),各兴趣区MD 值与EDSS 评分呈正相关(r =0.234 ~ 0.409,P = 0.000 ~ 0.018).结论 多发性硬化患者常规MRI 表现比正常脊髓的FA 值降低,提示存在隐匿性病变.脊髓扩散张量成像对多发性硬化患者临床评价和疗效判断有一定应用价值.     

多发性硬化的MRI特征

目的 探讨多发性硬化(MS)患者脑及脊髓的MRI特征.方法 回顾性分析110例临床确诊的MS患者的MRI检查资料.结果 MS患者脑部病灶以侧脑室旁白质多见(55.8%),其次是额叶深部白质(54.7%)、顶叶深部白质(44.2%)、脑干(25.6%)、基底节(23.3%)、丘脑(11.6%)等,灰质也可受累;病灶大小不一,形态可为斑片状、斑点状、圆形、类圆形.脊髓病灶以颈、胸髓多见,分别占75.0%和68.8%,形态可为斑片状、条片状、类圆形,脊髓灰白质可同时受累,10.0%的患者出现脊髓形态改变,如增粗、萎缩.MS患者脑及脊髓内病灶在影像学上因病程不同可表现为长T1、长T2或等T1、长T2信号.结论 MS的MRI特点主要是以脑和脊髓白质出现多个大小、形状不同的病灶.     

Multiple sclerosis and coexisting intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumour: a case report

We report the coexistence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and an intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumour in a 46-year-old woman with a 2-year history of MS. The patient presented with right hemitrunk and lower extremity paraesthesias, urinary incontinence, and intermittent lower right back and abdominal pain, which did not respond to pulse steroid therapy. A spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study revealed an intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumour in the lower thoracic spine, later diagnosed as schwannoma. We call attention to this rare association of MS and a spinal cord tumour, and emphasize the need for scrutiny of new and uncommon symptoms during the follow-up of MS patients. Received: 2 April 2002 / Accepted in revised form: 28 May 2002 Correspondence to V. Etus     

Autonomic dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: cervical spinal cord atrophy correlates

Autonomic dysfunction has rarely been studied in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). Some hypotheses have concerned the pathophysiology, especially with regard to a possible spinal cord origin. However, there have been no previous studies on autonomic dysfunction in MS and spinal cord lesions. This study assessed the frequency of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in MS and the correlation to spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. We prospectively studied 75 MS patients (25 with relapsing-remitting forms, 25 with secondary progressive forms and 25 with primary progressive forms). We performed sympathetic skin response, R-R interval variability and orthostatic hypotension testing. Spinal cord MRI was performed to detect demyelinating lesions (sagittal and axial plane) or spinal cord atrophy. Clinical and laboratory evidence of AD was found in 84 % and 56 % of MS patients, respectively. The correlation of the latter with disability was evaluated using the Extended Disability Status Scale. AD was more frequent in primary progressive MS than in the other two forms. AD was correlated with spinal cord cross-sectional area reduction but not with spinal cord hyperintensities. This study confirms that the frequency of AD in MS, especially in primary progressive forms, has until now been underestimated. Furthermore, AD appears to be more closely related to axonal loss, as demonstrated by spinal cord atrophy, than to demyelinating lesions. Received: 20 March 2000, Received in revised form: 13 October 2000, Accepted: 29 October 2000     

Magnetization transfer ratio of the spinal cord in multiple sclerosis: relationship to atrophy and neurologic disability.

The authors compare the spinal cord magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to healthy volunteers, relate MTR to spinal cord atrophy, and relate these and other magnetic resonance (MR) imaging parameters to disability. Sixty-five patients with MS (14 relapsing remitting [RR], 34 secondary progressive [SP], and 17 primary progressive [PP] MS), and 9 healthy volunteers were studied using MR at 1.0 T. Disability of the patients was assessed using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Magnetic resonance parameters were upper spinal cord MTR, number of focal spinal lesions, presence of diffuse abnormalities, and spinal cord cross-sectional area (CSA). Correlations were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r). Magnetization transfer ratio was higher in the controls (median, 33%; range, 30%-38%) than in patients with MS (median, 30%; range, 16-36; p < 0.05). In patients with MS EDSS correlated with spinal cord MTR, albeit weakly (r = -0.25, p < 0.05). Correlation between EDSS and spinal cord CSA was better (SRCC = -0.40, p < 0.01). No correlation was found between MTR and CSA (r = 0.1, p = 0.4). Combining MTR with spinal cord CSA improved correlation with EDSS (r = -0.46, p < 0.001), suggesting an independent correlation between disability and these 2 MR parameters. Expanded disability status scale scores were higher in patients who had diffuse spinal cord abnormality regardless of focal lesions (median, 6; range, 1.5-7.5) than in patients without diffuse abnormalities (median, 3.5; range, 0-8; p < 0.01). CSA was lower in patients with diffuse spinal cord abnormality (median, 62; range, 46-89 mm2) than in patients without diffuse abnormalities (median, 73; range, 47-89 mm2; p < 0.01). MTR was slightly lower in patients with diffuse spinal cord abnormalities (median, 29; range, 21%-33%) than in patients without diffuse abnormalities (median, 31; range, 16-36; t-test, p < 0.05).     

T1 hypointensity of the spinal cord in multiple sclerosis

It has recently been shown in multiple sclerosis (MS) that the volume of T1 hypointense lesions in the brain explains more of the variance in disability amongst patients than T2 lesion volume. T1 hypointense lesions may therefore represent areas of underlying pathology likely to be of functional significance, such as axonal loss. The spinal cord is a common area of involvement in MS and its dysfunction is likely to be responsible for much of the motor disability seen. Hence it serves as a useful model by which to examine the functional relevance of differing imaging sequences. We have therefore examined the relationship between T1 signal intensity in the spinal cord and disability in 60 patients with MS. We have also examined the relationship between T1 signal intensity and atrophy of the cord, as the latter is another potential marker of axonal loss. Sixty patients with MS underwent spinal cord imaging with a T1 weighted sequence to acquire axial sections of the cord at the C2 level. These sections were histogram matched to allow comparison of image intensity and a manual outlining technique was applied from which the mean cord intensity was calculated. Within the patient group there was a significant relationship between T1 signal intensity and disability as measured with the EDSS (r = −0.4, p < 0.005) and also between T1 signal intensity and atrophy (r = 0.36, p < 0.005). This study demonstrates that disability and atrophy are associated with a generalised reduction in cord signal on T1 weighted images. A lower T1 signal intensity in the spinal cord may be more pathologically specific than T2 hyperintensity and may represent underlying axonal loss, although gliosis and predominant white matter atrophy are alternative possibilities. Received: 7 April 2000, Received in revised form: 29 December 2000, Accepted: 10 January 2001     

Characterization of brain lesions in a mouse model of progressive multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by damage to the neuronal myelin sheath, which results in different levels of muscle paralysis that can lead to neuronal death. In most MS mouse models, the neurologic damage mostly affects the spinal cord with limited damage to the brain, which cannot be monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as used for humans. We show that immunization of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 leads to the development of relapsing-remitting stages, evident from days 20 to 70, which then develops into a chronic progressive stage. This cycle is similar to MS stages found in humans. Brain MRI gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted image analysis showed an increased blood-brain barrier permeability in brain gray and white matter specific to the corpus callosum, fimbria, and internal capsule as found in humans. MRI fractional anisotropy analysis showed demyelination and axonal damage in identical regions. Immunohistologic analysis supported the MRI data. No evidence of brain lesions was found in a common model of MS using C57BL/6 mice. We suggest that an increase in astrocyte toxicity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis-induced NOD mice may be linked to brain lesion development. We suggest using NOD mice as a suitable model for studying MS using MRI methods toward future diagnostic and drug development.     

Imaging of the spinal cord and brain in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study between fast flair and fast spin echo

Recent reports have suggested that fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) is a technique superior to conventional (CSE) or fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted sequences in detecting intrinsic lesions both in the brain and spinal cord. We report our experience of an inversion recovery prepared FSE, which we refer to as fast FLAIR, in a comparative study of ten patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) who underwent cervical cord and brain imaging with both FSE and fast FLAIR. The results showed that in the cerebral hemispheres fast FLAIR detected more lesions than FSE (P < 0.001). However, FSE detected more lesions than fast FLAIR in the posterior fossa (P = 0.02) and in the cord fast FLAIR was much inferior detecting only 2 of 33 lesions seen on FSE. Estimating the T2 relaxation times of lesions in each of three areas (periventricular, posterior fossa, cervical cord) showed that the T2 value of posterior fossa and cervical cord lesions was significantly lower than that of periventricular lesions, suggesting that the lesion composition is different and consequently their imaging appearances are different. In conclusion, although fast FLAIR improves the detection of MS lesions in the cerebral hemispheres, its substantially lower sensitivity in the posterior fossa and spinal cord is a potentially important limitation to its use as a tool for the diagnosis of MS and for monitoring therapies. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the loss of sensitivity. Received: 23 March 1992 Received in revised form: 1 July 1996 Accepted: 5 August 1996     

Long spinal cord lesions in a patient with pathologically proven multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with progressive gait ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery revealed a hyperintense lesion in the right temporal white matter. The spinal cord showed a long hyperintense lesion between the vertebral levels C6 and L1 on T2-weighted MRI. Biopsied tissues from the brain lesion demonstrated features of inflammatory demyelination with preservation of astrocytes, consistent with typical MS. This is the first reported case of pathologically proven MS with longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions.     

Calcium channel blockers ameliorate disease in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, are inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. The inflammatory attacks lead to glial dysfunction and death, axonal damage, and neurological deficits. Numerous studies in rat suggest that extracellular calcium influx, via voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC), contributes to white matter damage in acute spinal cord injury and stroke. Our immunohistochemical finding that mouse spinal cord axons display subunits of L-type VGCC also supports this hypothesis. Furthermore, we hypothesized that VGCC also play a role in EAE, and possibly, MS. In our study, administration of the calcium channel blockers (CCB) bepridil and nitrendipine significantly ameliorated EAE in mice, compared with vehicle-treated controls. Spinal cord samples showed reduced inflammation and axonal pathology in bepridil-treated animals. Our data support the hypothesis that calcium influx via VGCC plays a significant role in the development of neurological disability and white matter damage in EAE and MS.     

Prognostic criteria in an epidemiological group of patients with multiple sclerosis: an exploratory study

Summary Demographic and clinical features and data on medical history and prior environmental exposure collected during an epidemiological long-term study of multiple sclerosis (MS) were tested for their possible prognostic value. Fifty-two benign MS patients were compared with 29 patients having a malignant course. A primary or secondary progressive course and cerebellar/lower brain-stem symptoms at onset indicated an unfavourable course, whereas no predictive value of sex or of any other type of onset symptomatology was found. Age at onset per se had no influence on prognosis but was associated with more rapid progession only by its relationship with a chronic progressiv type of course. Prior illness, surgery, trauma and childhood exposure to defined environmental factors could not be identified as relevant for prognosis.Presented in part at the 2nd ENS Meeting, Brighton 1990