Imaging in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

ultiple sclerosis (MS) is a common central nervous system (CNS) disease characterised pathologically by the development of multifocal inflammatory demyelinating white matter lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard imaging technique for the identification of demyelinating lesions which can be used to support a clinical diagnosis of MS, and MS can now be diagnosed in some patients after a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) using new MRI diagnostic criteria. Clinical trials of disease modifying treatments include MRI outcome measures of disease activity. The use of MR techniques to study the evolution of MS pathology in vivo is an important tool for obtaining better insights into pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the clinical course. This article will concentrate on the practical application of MRI in the management of MS.