[Neuroimaging in multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis is currently considered to be a destructive disorder, and a certain degree of alteration in immunity is considered to occur in genetically susceptible persons.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance (MR) has become the basic technique for diagnosis and evaluation of the response to treatment. The key factor in the information obtained form MR images is the water content. There are several technical situations to be taken into account when using MR in multiple sclerosis: phase T1, phase T2, FLAIR, phase T1 with gadolinium, MR with spectroscopy, cerebral parenchymatous fraction and magnetization transfer MR. Apart from magnetic resonance, immunological changes of multiple sclerosis are seen in the CSF in over 50% of the patients with the disorder. Use of evoked potentials, with the important advantage of detecting lesions not visible on MR and asymptomatic lesions, may also be useful for establishment of the diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In this article we describe the use of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Rivera
V M
VM
Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6560 Fannin, Suite 1224, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. vrivera@bcm.tmc.edu
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001834:Body Water; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA