Objective: To establish recommendations for using and interpreting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results in the diagnosis and follow up of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Method: Based on an extensive review of the literature and on their own experience, an expert group on MS produced a consensus on recommendations for using and interpreting MRI results in the diagnosis and follow up MS.
Results: A brain MRI must be performed whenever possible in the initial diagnosis and assessment of patients suspected with MS. A spinal MRI study should be performed on all patients whose clinical onset shows signs of spinal cord syndrome, when the brain MRI findings are not very specific or when the brain MRI is normal in patients diagnosed clinically with MS. Cranial studies should be performed using appropriate repositioning techniques and different MR sequences, such as proton-density and T2-weighted fast spin-echo, and Fast-FLAIR. The use of contrast is mandatory whenever attempting to determine the temporal and spatial dissemination of demyelinating lesions for the initial diagnosis, or to determine inflammatory activity or lesion progression in follow up studies.
Conclusions: The use of recommendations for using and interpreting MRI results in the diagnosis and follow up MS should help to rationalise resources and optimise the clinical results arising from its practice.