Episode 41: Consensus MRI Guidelines for MS

Author(s):

"Mind Moments," a podcast from NeurologyLive, brings you an exclusive interview with Scott D. Newsome, DO, and David Li, MD, FRCPC.

Scott D. Newsome, DO

David Li, MD, FRCPC

Episode 41 of the NeurologyLive Mind Moments podcast is now live! Scroll down to listen or click here to subscribe on your favorite streaming service.

The Mind Moments podcast features exclusive interviews with leaders in the field discussing the latest research and disease management strategies across the breadth of neurology, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, dementia, sleep disorders, and more.

Episode 41, "Consensus MRI Guidelines for MS," features an exclusive interview with Scott D. Newsome, DO, president, Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), director, Neurosciences Consultation and Infusion Center at Green Spring Station, and associate professor of neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; and David Li, MD, FRCPC, professor of radiology, associate member in neurology, and director, Multiple Sclerosis/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia. The pair spoke about the recent consensus guidelines that were published and developed by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis study group; the CMSC working group; and the North America Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis MRI Guidelines working group, in partnership, that marked a massive undertaking in the field of MS care. Specifically, the focus and key update included in the recommendations is the use of standardized MRI protocols for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes, which was emphasized in the 2017 updates to the McDonald criteria. Previous guidelines from MAGNIMS and CMSC issued in 2015 and 2016, respectively, recommended the use of axial single T2-weighted sequences, dual-echo T2-weighted spin-echo sequences, axial and sagittal T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and contrast-enhanced axial T1-weighted sequences, preferably at 3 Tesla.

To learn more about the process behind developing these international guidelines, watch our NeurologyLive Peer Exchange: “Updates to the MRI Protocol and Clinical Guidelines for MS: CMSC Working Group”

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

1:25 – Li on addressing the lingering slow uptake in the adoption of guidelines

4:55 – Newsome on the strength of the new protocol recommendations and the gaps in education about them

8:15 – Newsome on the clinical significance of these consensus MRI guidelines

10:35 – Li on the recognition of magnetic resonance's importance in MS

13:45 – Newsome on tackling the education gaps that remain for the field

15:25 – Li on encouraging adoption and standardization of MRI

17:45 – Newsome on leveraging imaging in the care of patients with MS

21:10 – Li's take-home message for the radiology community

22:30 – Newsome's take-home message for the clinical care community

28:00 – Newsome on the TREAT-MS Trial (NCT03500328)

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REFERENCE

Wattjes MP, Ciccarelli O, Reich DS, et al; on behalf of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis study group, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, and North American Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis Cooperative MRI guidelines working group. 2021 MAGNIMS-CMSC-NAIMS consensus recommendations on the use of MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol. Published online June 14, 2021. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00095-8