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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reveal details of lesions relevant to diagnosis and progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers report. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reveal details of lesions relevant to diagnosis and progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers report in the September issue of Radiology.

In fact, Dr. Rohit Bakshi told Reuters Health, "non-contrast T1-weighted brain MRI scans of patients with MS should be examined for the presence of hyperintense lesions as these may provide useful diagnostic information."

Dr. Bakshi of Harvard Medical School, Boston and colleagues came to this conclusion after studying MR images from 145 MS patients.

The team found that 113 patients had at least one T1 hyperintense lesion. There were 340 lesions, of which two-thirds had a hyperintense rim. The remainder were uniformly hyperintense.

Such lesions were significantly more common in patients with secondary progressive (SP) MS. They correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and brain atrophy measures. After adjustment for disease course, the lesions remained associated with brain atrophy.

Multiple hyperintense lesions were also significantly more likely to be found in patients with SP disease than in those with relapsing-remitting MS.

Given these findings, the researchers conclude that hyperintense lesions may be a clinically relevant biomarker. Dr. Bakshi also said that "such lesions should be studied further to determine if they have prognostic value or a role in therapeutic monitoring.