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Abstract #2089

In Vivo Quantitative Evaluation of Multiple Sclerosis Progression Using Gradient Echo Plural Contrast Imaging Technique

Jie Luo1, Pascal Sati2, Anne H. Cross3, Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy2

1Chemistriy, Washington University in St.Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; 2Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; 3Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States


One reason for the weak correlation between conventional MRI (based on T1/T2 weighted images) and clinical findings is the inability of conventional MRI to quantify the extent of tissue damage. In this study, we demonstrated that an efficient method based on GEPCI technique not only depicts MS lesions similar to conventional T1w and FLAIR images, but also allows quantitative evaluation of disease progression. Combining characteristics of main peak in R2* histograms and quantitative score assigned to MS lesions, allows the evaluation not only of the volume of cerebral MS lesions, but incorporates the degree of tissue damage as well.