Magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play an important role in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). McDonald criteria allow MRI evidence for dissemination in space and dissemination in time to be used to diagnose MS in patients who present with clinically isolated syndromes. Long spinal cord lesion on spinal MRI is a diagnostic finding of opticospinal MS with autoantibodies to the aquaporin-4 water channel. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging and magnetization transfer ratio map may reveal chemical pathology and tract change in normal appearing white matter of MS.