Clinical Value of Deep Gray Matter 3T MRI Perfusion in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common non traumatic neurological disorders between adults. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most sensitive imaging modality for assessment of multiple patients. New MRI techniques have been improved which help in more accurate assessment of the disease extent, activity, severity and treatment prognosis. Recently, advanced quantitative MRI techniques have detected micro-structural alterations even in the normal appearing white and gray matter of multiple sclerosis patients. In dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI perfusion, the tissue perfusion is assessed by evaluation of a series of rapidly repeated T2*-weighted MR images resulting from the first pass of a contrast agent bolus through the tissue. Objective To highlight the role of MRI perfusion in detection of deep gray matter perfusion alteration in multiple sclerosis patients and its relation to the clinical disability and cognitive impairment Methods 40 patients who were proven as multiple sclerosis patients clinically were enrolled in this study, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups (group A with mild clinical disease and preserved cognitive functions, and group B with marked clinical disease and cognitive functions impairment) they were divided according to their clinical disability and cognitive functions status assessed by single experienced neurologist blind to the MRI findings, Additional 20 normal control cases in the same age group were included in the study. Perfusion parameters including cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow and mean transit time of the deep gray matter were compared for healthy controls and for the two study groups. Results The cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume and mean transit time values averaged over the thalamus, putamen, and caudate nuclei were significantly changed in group B (marked clinical disease with cognitive functions impairment) that shows marked decrease in perfusion parameters (cerebral blood volume and flow) and increased mean transit time compared with group A (mild clinical disease with no cognitive functions impairment) and the controls, With respect to group (A), there was no significant difference between the patients and controls Conclusion The decrease of tissue perfusion in the deep gray matter of patients with multiple sclerosis is associated with the severity of the clinical disease and cognitive impairment.