Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions
Abstract Background Contrast-enhanced MRI is frequently used as a baseline modality and indispensable tool for early diagnosis and follow-up of different brain lesions. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic impact of contrast-enhanced FLAIR compared to the widely used post-contrast T1W sequenc...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-06-01
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Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-023-01049-2 |
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author | Mona Gad Lamiaa Galal Elsorogy Sherif Abdel Fattah Moustafa |
author_facet | Mona Gad Lamiaa Galal Elsorogy Sherif Abdel Fattah Moustafa |
author_sort | Mona Gad |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Background Contrast-enhanced MRI is frequently used as a baseline modality and indispensable tool for early diagnosis and follow-up of different brain lesions. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic impact of contrast-enhanced FLAIR compared to the widely used post-contrast T1W sequence in terms of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions detection in clinical practice and explore its value in monitoring disease activity for selecting appropriate therapy. MR Imaging was performed using 1.5 Tesla device. Both T1W and FLAIR sequences were obtained prior to and after administration of intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agent. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for image analysis by two independent radiologists. Results Sixty patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. Our participants were subdivided into two categories, either demyelinating (45 multiple sclerosis) or infectious lesions (13 meningitis/meningoencephalitis and 2 pyogenic abscess). By comparing the two post-contrast sequences, CE-FLAIR revealed greater enhancement in 38 cases (63.34%), equal enhancement in 17 cases (28.33%) and less enhancement in 5 cases (8.33%). For lesion conspicuity: good delineation observed in (61.67%), fair delineation in (25%) and no delineation in (13.33%). Lesion-to-background contrast ratio was statistically significant in CE-FLAIR with excellent inter-class correlation. Conclusion CE-FLAIR should be added in conjunction with or as a superior alternative to conventional CE-T1W sequence to optimize lesion detection and improve diagnostic reliability particularly in demyelinating and infectious lesions. |
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format | Article |
id | doaj.art-2f8f1e25ea5c4419b5d9512414e3bae2 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2090-4762 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:12:18Z |
publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
publisher | SpringerOpen |
record_format | Article |
series | The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine |
spelling | doaj.art-2f8f1e25ea5c4419b5d9512414e3bae22023-06-11T11:09:04ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine2090-47622023-06-0154111010.1186/s43055-023-01049-2Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesionsMona Gad0Lamiaa Galal Elsorogy1Sherif Abdel Fattah Moustafa2Diagnostic Radiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDiagnostic Radiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDiagnostic Radiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura UniversityAbstract Background Contrast-enhanced MRI is frequently used as a baseline modality and indispensable tool for early diagnosis and follow-up of different brain lesions. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic impact of contrast-enhanced FLAIR compared to the widely used post-contrast T1W sequence in terms of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions detection in clinical practice and explore its value in monitoring disease activity for selecting appropriate therapy. MR Imaging was performed using 1.5 Tesla device. Both T1W and FLAIR sequences were obtained prior to and after administration of intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agent. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for image analysis by two independent radiologists. Results Sixty patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. Our participants were subdivided into two categories, either demyelinating (45 multiple sclerosis) or infectious lesions (13 meningitis/meningoencephalitis and 2 pyogenic abscess). By comparing the two post-contrast sequences, CE-FLAIR revealed greater enhancement in 38 cases (63.34%), equal enhancement in 17 cases (28.33%) and less enhancement in 5 cases (8.33%). For lesion conspicuity: good delineation observed in (61.67%), fair delineation in (25%) and no delineation in (13.33%). Lesion-to-background contrast ratio was statistically significant in CE-FLAIR with excellent inter-class correlation. Conclusion CE-FLAIR should be added in conjunction with or as a superior alternative to conventional CE-T1W sequence to optimize lesion detection and improve diagnostic reliability particularly in demyelinating and infectious lesions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-023-01049-2Contrast-enhanced FLAIR (CE-FLAIR)Brain MRIMultiple sclerosisMeningitis |
spellingShingle | Mona Gad Lamiaa Galal Elsorogy Sherif Abdel Fattah Moustafa Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Contrast-enhanced FLAIR (CE-FLAIR) Brain MRI Multiple sclerosis Meningitis |
title | Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions |
title_full | Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions |
title_fullStr | Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions |
title_full_unstemmed | Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions |
title_short | Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced FLAIR MRI in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions |
title_sort | diagnostic utility of contrast enhanced flair mri in imaging of demyelinating and infectious brain lesions |
topic | Contrast-enhanced FLAIR (CE-FLAIR) Brain MRI Multiple sclerosis Meningitis |
url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-023-01049-2 |
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