ACTRIMS 2022 | Diagnostic potential of paramagnetic rim lesions in MS

Pascal Sati, PhD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, further discusses the use of a novel imaging technique developed for central vein sign (CVS), but in the context of imaging a subset of MS plaque – paramagnetic rim lesions. Dr Sati comments on the high value in imaging these chronic active lesions; over the past two years, through a multicenter analysis between Cedars-Sinai and the Cleveland Clinic, they have been evaluating the diagnostic potential of this novel technique in a new context. The aim is to distinguish MS patients from non-MS patients simply by looking at paramagnetic rim lesions around MS plaques in the white matter. The results presented indicate that it is even possible to differentiate between MS patients and MS mimics in large population cohorts. This infers high specificity regarding its diagnostic performance – yet the technique is not quite as sensitive as with CVS. As analysis has already been conducted on CVS using the same technique, combing the two will further allow for enhanced differentiation using a single method of MRI. This interview took place at the ACTRIMS Forum 2022 in West Palm Beach, Florida.