MRI in MS, Takeaways for Clinicians and Neuroradiologists: Scott D. Newsome, DO; David Li, MD, FRCPC

Author(s):

David Li, MD, FRCPC,Scott Newsome, DO, MSCS, FAAN

In discussion regarding the new MRI consensus guidelines for patients with MS, Scott D. Newsome, DO, and David Li, MD, FRCPC, discuss key points for their peers and colleagues.

“The recommendation is to use a subcallosal plane, which is something that we as radiologists use to prescribe the scans from, and the 3-D is particularly useful from that, because you can angle them any way that you want…that will make life so much easy for everybody because you can compare 1 scan with the other without having to do extra manipulation.”

Following the development of consensus guidelines for the use of MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), 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, spoke with NeurologyLive on key points they feel fellow clinicians and neuroradiologists should focus on.

Li discussed the importance of the protocol, namely the focus on the 3-D aspects, which many MRI scanners are now able to do, to compare scans and save time over the course of treatment. Additionally, Li commented on the recommendation to use the subcallosal plane when scanning, allowing for consistency when comparing scans. From a clinical perspective, Newsome stressed the importance of actually performing MRIs, particularly in the early stages during the course of MS. In terms of consistency, Newsome also spoke on how often MRIs should be performed, with emphasis on doing so at least 3 to 6 months after starting or switching drugs, as well as at the 1-year mark.

Published and developed by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (MAGNIMS) study group; the CMSC; and the North America Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (NAIMS) MRI Guidelines working group, the guidelines represent international alignment on the use of MRI in patients with MS for the first time.