Physiologic MRI of a tumefactive multiple sclerosis lesion.
Structural and physiologic MRI were performed after subacute onset of left hemiparesis in a patient with MS. MRI showed a large ring-enhancing lesion with surrounding edema and mass effect; differential diagnosis included a neoplasm or a large MS plaque. Physiologic MRI showed reduced blood flow and magnetization transfer, as well as increased diffusion, in the large lesion. Because these findings suggested a tumefactive MS plaque rather than a neoplasm, the patient received steroid treatment for acute MS exacerbation. Three months later the patient improved clinically and on MRI.
Ernst
T
T
Department of Radiology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
Chang
L
L
Walot
I
I
Huff
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004487:Edema; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006429:Hemiplegia; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013256:Steroids