MRI Lesion Volume Measurement in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Correlation with Disability: a Comparison of Fast Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (fFLAIR) and Spin Echo Sequences

Overview

Journal J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

Publisher BMJ Publishing Group

Specialties Neurology
Neurosurgery
Psychiatry

Date 1998 Mar 7

PMID 9489530

Citations 18

Authors

M L Gawne-Cain

J I ORiordan

A Coles

B Newell

A J Thompson

D H Miller

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess whether multiple sclerosis lesion volume measurements derived using the fast fluid attenuated inversion recovery (fFLAIR) sequence show better reproducibility or correlation with disability than those derived using the conventional spin echo (CSE) sequence.

Methods: Part I: twenty five patients with multiple sclerosis were scanned with CSE, fast spin echo (FSE), and fFLAIR. Lesion volume was determined twice for each sequence using a local threshold segmentation technique. Part II: fifty six patients with multiple sclerosis were scanned with CSE and fFLAIR. Total and regional brain lesion volumes were compared with the Kurtzke extended disability scale (EDSS) and functional systems scores (FSS).

Results: Part I: analysis times were significantly longer for CSE than for FSE or fFLAIR. There was no significant difference in the reproducibility of the three sequences. Part II: total lesion volumes were similar but posterior fossa lesion volumes were significantly greater for CSE and subcortical lesion volumes significantly greater for fFLAIR. There was a significant correlation between total volume and EDSS with both sequences (CSE r=0.49; fFLAIR r=0.44). Correlations for the two sequences showed minor differences when anatomical region and FSS were considered separately.

Conclusions: CSE, FSE, and fFLAIR are equally reproducible; FSE yields lower volumes than CSE; fFLAIR gives similar volumes to CSE but underscores the posterior fossa. Overall clinical correlations are similar for CSE and fFLAIR.

Citing Articles

Letter to editor: Volumetric segmentation in the context of posterior fossa‑related pathologies: a systematic review.

Mughal Z, Malik A, Zainulabedin F Neurosurg Rev. 2024; 47(1):226.

PMID: 38771377 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02466-1.

Volumetric segmentation in the context of posterior fossa-related pathologies: a systematic review.

Kobets A, Alavi S, Ahmad S, Castillo A, Young D, Minuti A Neurosurg Rev. 2024; 47(1):170.

PMID: 38637466 PMC: 11026186. DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02366-4.

Neuroimaging characterization of multiple sclerosis lesions in pediatric patients: an exploratory radiomics approach.

Faustino R, Lopes C, Jantarada A, Mendonca A, Raposo R, Ferrao C Front Neurosci. 2024; 18:1294574.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Prognostic Disability Marker in Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Altokhis A, AlAmrani A, Alotaibi A, Podlasek A, Constantinescu C Diagnostics (Basel). 2022; 12(2).

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Fully automated open-source lesion mapping of T2-FLAIR images with FSL correlates with clinical disability in MS.

Wetter N, Hubbard E, Motl R, Sutton B Brain Behav. 2016; 6(3):e00440.

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