Added value of double inversion recovery magnetic resonance sequence in detection of cortical and white matter brain lesions in multiple sclerosis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the value of double inversion recovery (DIR) magnetic resonance (MR) sequence in the detection of brain cortical and white matter lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS).Patients and methodsFifteen patients with remitting relapsing MS were included in this study. Imaging was performed on a 1.T MR system using DIR, fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR), and T2-weighted image (T2WI) sequences. The sensitivity of DIR was compared with the corresponding sensitivity of FLAIR and T2WI sequences. The contrast between lesions and normal-appearing gray matter (NAGM), normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was determined for all sequences.ResultsDIR showed significantly more MS lesion load overall when compared to T2WI or FLAIR. Significantly higher number of lesions was seen in the supra- and infratentorial locations. DIR detected higher periventricular white matter lesions when compared to FLAIR, but did not detect significantly higher lesions when compared to T2WI. Significantly higher deep white matter, juxtacortical, and intracortical lesions were seen on DIR when compared to both T2WI and FLAIR. The image contrast measurements between the MS lesions and the NAWM in all anatomical locations were significantly higher in DIR sequence compared to both T2WI and FLAIR sequences. However, there was no significant statistical difference between the DIR and both T2WI and FLAIR sequences regarding the contrast of intracortical lesions compared to NAGM.ConclusionDIR sequence is valuable in the imaging workup of MS as it can detect more MS lesions compared to the T2W and FLAIR sequences in all anatomical locations. DIR showed better delineation between the white matter, gray matter, and the MS lesions due to its high image contrast. DIR sequence should be included in the routine MR protocol of MS patients especially to answer the question about intra-cortical and juxta-cortical MS lesions.