Limited utility of adding 3T cervical spinal cord MRI to monitor disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Performing routine brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely accepted as the standard of care for disease monitoring in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the utility of performing routine spinal cord (SC) MRI for this purpose is still debatable. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the frequency of new isolated cervical spinal cord lesions (CSLs) in people with MS (pwMS) undergoing routine brain and cervical SC-MRI for disease monitoring and determine the factors associated with the development of new CSLs and their prognostic value. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 1576 pwMS who underwent follow-up 3T brain and cervical SC-MRI over a 9-month period. MRI was reviewed for the presence of new brain lesions (BLs) and CSLs. Clinical records were reviewed for interval relapses between sequential scans and subsequent clinical relapse and disability worsening after the follow-up MRI. RESULTS: In 1285 pwMS (median interval: 13-14 months) who were clinically stable with respect to relapses, 73 (5.7%) had new CSLs, of which 49 (3.8%) had concomitant new BLs and 24 (1.9%) had new isolated CSLs only. New asymptomatic CSLs were associated with ⩾ 3 prior relapses (p = 0.04), no disease-modifying therapy (DMT) use (p = 0.048), and ⩾ 3 new BLs (p < 0.001); ⩾ 3 new BLs (OR: 7.11, 95% CI: 4.3-11.7, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with new CSLs on multivariable analysis. Having new asymptomatic CSLs was not independently associated with subsequent relapse or disability worsening after the follow-up MRI (median follow-up time of 26 months). CONCLUSION: Routine brain and cervical SC-MRI detected new isolated CSLs in only < 2% of clinically stable pwMS. Developing new asymptomatic CSLs was associated with concomitant new BLs and did not confer an independent increased risk of relapse or disability worsening. Performing SC-MRI may not be warranted for routine monitoring in most pwMS, and performing only brain MRI may be sufficient to capture the vast majority of clinically silent disease activity.

MRI predictors for brain invasion in meningiomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the 2016 revision of the World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumours, brain invasion was added as an independent histological criterion for the diagnosis of a World Health Organization grade II atypical meningioma. The aim of this study was to assess whether magnetic resonance imaging characteristics can predict brain invasion for meningiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all meningiomas resected at our institution between 2005 and 2016 which had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and included brain tissue within the pathology specimen. One hundred meningiomas were included in the study, 60 of which had histopathological brain invasion, 40 of which did not. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of tumours were evaluated for potential predictors of brain invasion. Tumour location, size, perilesional oedema, contour, cerebrospinal fluid cleft, peritumoral cyst, dural venous sinus invasion, bone invasion, hyperostosis and the presence of enlarged pial arteries and veins were evaluated. Data were analysed using conventional chi-square, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. RESULTS: The volume of peritumoral oedema was significantly higher in the brain-invasive meningioma group compared to the non-brain-invasive group. The presence of a complete cleft was a rare finding that was only found in non-brain-invasive meningiomas. The presence of enlarged pial feeding arteries was a rare finding that was only found in brain-invasive meningiomas. CONCLUSIONS: An increased volume of perilesional oedema is associated with the likelihood of brain invasion for meningiomas.

Emergency Imaging in Pregnancy and Lactation [Formula: see text].

The use of diagnostic imaging studies in the emergency setting has increased dramatically over the past couple of decades. The emergency imaging of pregnant and lactating patients poses unique challenges and calls upon the crucial role of radiologists as consultants to the referring physician to guide appropriate use of imaging tests, minimize risk, ensure timely management, and occasionally alleviate unwarranted trepidation. A clear understanding of the risks and benefits involved with various imaging tests in this patient population is vital to achieve this. This review discusses the different safety and appropriateness issues that could arise with the use of ionizing radiation, iodinated-, and gadolinium-based contrast media and radiopharmaceuticals in pregnant and lactating patients. Special considerations such as trauma imaging, safety concerns with magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound, management of claustrophobia, contrast extravasation, and allergic reactions are also reviewed. The consent process for these examinations has also been described.