Longitudinal ultra-high field MRI of brain lesions in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Tools

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Longitudinal ultra-high field MRI of brain lesions in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Creators Name:	Chawla, S., Ge, Y., Wuerfel, J., Asadollahi, S., Mohan, S., Paul, F., Sinnecker, T. and Kister, I.
Abstract:	BACKGROUND: In neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), clinical disability in NMOSD patients is relapse-related and progressive phase is rare. This observation raises the question whether there is any radiographic disease activity. The aim of present study was to determine the longitudinal changes in cerebral lesion number, lesion size, lesion-to-venule relationship, and morphological patterns of lesions in NMOSD using multiparametric 7T MR imaging. We also aimed to assess brain volume changes in NMOSD. METHODS: A cohort of 22 patients with NMOSD underwent high-resolution 3D-susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and 2D-gradient-echo (GRE-T2) weighted imaging on 7T MRI of brain at baseline and after ~2.8 years of follow-up. Morphologic imaging characteristics, and signal intensity patterns of lesions were recorded at both time points. Lesions were classified as "iron-laden" if they demonstrated hypointense signal on GRE-T2 images and/or SWI as well as hyperintense signal on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Lesions were considered "non-iron-laden" if they were hyperintense on GRE-T2/SWI and isointense or hyperintense on QSM. Additionally, fractional brain parenchymal volume (fBPV) was computed at both time points. RESULTS: A total of 169 lesions were observed at baseline. At follow-up, 6 new lesions were found in 5 patients. In one patient, a single lesion could not be detected on the follow-up scan. No appreciable change in lesion size and vessel-lesion relationship was observed at follow up. All lesions demonstrated hyperintense signal intensity on GRE-T2 weighted images and isointense signal on QSM at both time points. Therefore, these lesions were considered as non-associated with iron pathology. Additionally, no significant change in brain volume was observed: fBPV 0.78 ± 0.06 at baseline vs. 0.77 ± 0.05 at follow up, p>0.05. CONCLUSION: Cerebral lesions in NMOSD patients remain 'inert' and do not show any substantial variations in morphological characteristics during a 2-3-year follow-up period.
Keywords:	Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, Follow-Up, 7T Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Susceptibility Weighted Imaging, Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping
Source:	Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
ISSN:	2211-0348
Publisher:	Elsevier
Volume:	42
Page Range:	102066
Date:	July 2020
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2020.102066
External Fulltext:	View full text on PubMed Central
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

Repository Staff Only: item control page