Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the influence of a different slice orientation on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion load in multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifteen MS patients were scanned obtaining both axial and sagittal conventional spin echo (24 slices; TR 2400, TE 30/80) brain MRI. The total lesion load (TLL) was assessed twice for each scan, using a semi-automated local thresholding technique and the some marked hardcopies. The mean TLL was 22,734 mm3 for axial and 22,003 mm3 for sagittal scans. The mean intra-observer coefficient of variation (COV) was 4.65% for the axial acquisitions and 4.52% for the sagittal acquisitions. This difference was not statistically significant (one-way ANOVA, P > 0.1). The lesion load was significantly higher from axial MRI as compared to the intra-observer variability (two-way ANOVA, P = 0.01), but the fluctuations around this overage difference between axial and sagittal scan TLL were significantly large (test for interaction, P <0.001). Our data indicate that the use of sagittal conventional MRI scans does not seem to be worthwhile for the quantitative assessment of lesion load in MS patients.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 382-384 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Multiple Sclerosis Journal |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 6 |
Publication status | Published - 1997 |
Keywords
- Lesion load
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Multiple sclerosis
- Reproducibility
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology