Quantitative multiple sclerosis plaque assessment with magnetic resonance imaging. Its correlation with clinical parameters, evoked potentials, and intra-blood-brain barrier IgG synthesis

R. W. Baumhefner, W. W. Tourtellotte, K. Syndulko, V. Waluch, G. W. Ellison, L. W. Meyers, S. N. Cohen, M. Osborne and P. Shapshak
Neurology Service Veterans Administration West Los Angeles Medical Center, CA 90073.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and upper cervical cord was performed in 62 individuals with clinically definite chronic, progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The total area of MRI-demonstrated lesions was measured from film enlargements for each region using an interactive image analysis system. While the MRI was abnormal in 60 (97%) of 62 patients, the visual-evoked potentials in 51 (85%) of 60 patients, the brain stem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEPs) in 24 (46%) of 52 patients, and the somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) in 45 (89%) of 54 patients, an abnormal intra-blood-brain barrier (BBB) IgG synthesis rate, IgG oligoclonal bands, or both were found in all 62 patients. The total area of MRI abnormality in the cerebrum was significantly correlated only with the intra-BBB IgG synthesis rate, abnormal visual-evoked potentials, impaired performance on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and one test of standing duration in the quantitative examination of neurologic function (QENF). The brain stem lesion area correlated with the Kurtzke expanded disability status scale and brain stem functional systems score, the ambulation index, abnormal BAEPs, and impaired performance on the SDMT as well as multiple tests of upper and lower extremity function in the QENF. The cerebellar lesion area correlated with impaired performance on the SDMT and primarily upper extremity testing in the QENF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Posterior fossa lesion volume and slowed information processing in multiple sclerosis
Archibald et al.
Brain 2004;127:1526-1534.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Longitudinal Study of Callosal Atrophy and Interhemispheric Dysfunction in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Pelletier et al.
Arch Neurol 2001;58:105-111.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Longitudinal Analysis of MR Images-Lack of Correlation between Changes in T2 Lesion Volume and Clinical Findings
Miki et al.
Radiology 1999;213:395-399.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

MR Imaging Quantitation of Gray Matter Involvement in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Correlation with Disability Measures and Neurocognitive Testing
Catalaa et al.
Am. J. Neuroradiol. 1999;20:1613-1618.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Olfactory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: Relation to longitudinal changes in plaque numbers in central olfactory structures
Doty et al.
Neurology 1999;53:880-880.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Characterization of White Matter Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis and Traumatic Brain Injury as Revealed by Magnetization Transfer Contour Plots
Bagley et al.
Am. J. Neuroradiol. 1999;20:977-981.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Three dimensional MRI estimates of brain and spinal cord atrophy in multiple sclerosis
Liu et al.
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 1999;66:323-330.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Infratentorial atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging and disability in multiple sclerosis
Edwards et al.
Brain 1999;122:291-301.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT