Magnetic resonance evaluation of disease activity during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis.
We followed two women with MS during pregnancy by means of serial unenhanced MR imaging. On each follow-up image, we assessed the number of new or enlarging lesions. Both women showed a decrease in MR disease activity during the second half of pregnancy and a return of MR disease activity to prepregnancy levels in the first months postpartum. These findings support the view that pregnancy reduces disease activity in MS.
van Walderveen
M A
MA
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Tas
M W
MW
Barkhof
F
F
Polman
C H
CH
Frequin
S T
ST
Hommes
O R
OR
Valk
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA