Quantification of Blood-Brain-Barrier Permeability Dysregulation and Inflammatory Activity in MS Lesions by Dynamic-Contrast Enhanced MR Imaging

Abstract

Introduction: blood-brain-barrier perfusion characterization impaired in MS as some studies have shown recently but a comparison between perfusion parameters in contrast-enhanced and non-enhanced lesions not have been well documented. Pharmacokinetic quantitative parameters have obtained from dynamic contrast-enhanced in magnetic resonance imaging is a useful way to quantify blood-brain barrier permeability leakage. Methods: MR examination was performed on 28 patients with Relapsing-remitted Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) with (Mean±SD age: 34.7±9.28) which had multiple lesions in the brain.3D dynamic T1-weighted spoiled gradient echo was obtained and Perfusion parameters and its map assessed in enhanced and non-enhanced lesions after intravascular injection differences in parameters and map obtained by analyzing ROI in Extended Toft model. Results: permeability as measured Krtans was a significantly higher value in CE to compare NE lesions. Ktrans and Kep have significant differences in NAWM and CE and NE lesions. Vb was slightly different in NE and CE lesions. Conclusion: Permeability measured as Ktrans was the good parameter to show permeability impairment of BBB in CE lesions. Dysregulation in BBB is an acceptable sign to indicate existence inflammation in CE lesions.

Keywords

• blood-brain-barrier
• inflammatory activation
• multiple sclerosis