Comparison of 3D Optimized WMN MPRAGE and Conventional MRI Sequences for Detecting Spinal Cord Lesions in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare a new spinal cord imaging technique called the 3D OPTIMIZED WMN MPRAGE sequence with conventional MRI sequences for people with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a common inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system, often causing spinal cord damage that leads to symptoms like sensory loss, pain, weakness, and bladder or bowel problems. Imaging the spinal cord is important for diagnosis and prognosis, but current methods have limitations in detecting lesions accurately. The study involves scanning patients at the cervical and thoracic levels of the spinal cord using both conventional MRI sequences including 2D sagittal T2 FSE, 2D sagittal STIR, 2D sagittal PSIR, and 3D MPRAGE and the new 3D OPTIMIZED WMN MPRAGE sequence. At the cervical level, the new sequence will be acquired in sagittal and axial views, while at the thoracic level it will be acquired sagittally. This comparison will help assess whether the new sequence provides better detection of spinal cord lesions. Participants will undergo MRI scans at one visit where researchers will evaluate the number and volume of lesions, presence of artifacts, contrast quality, and the relation of lesions to the patients disability. The study will also measure sensitivity, positive predictive value, and reproducibility of the new imaging method. The total participation time corresponds to the imaging session on day one, with no long-term follow-up reported.

3D OPTIMIZED WMN MPRAGE Increased Detection of Focal Spinal Cord Lesion in Multiple Sclerosis (WHINUME)