MR findings of the inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system

Abstract

When demyelinating disease of the central nervous system is suspected, MR examination has mainly three roles: diagnosis, imaging biomarkers, and early detection of adverse effects from therapeutic agents. Because the location, size, shape, distribution, signal intensity, and contrast pattern of the brain lesions on MRI vary depending on the demyelinating diseases, careful attentions are required to assess the differential diagnosis and activity. It is necessary to be familiar with not only typical imaging findings but also atypical findings of demyelinating disease since minor neurological findings and nonspecific brain lesions may lead to misdiagnosis of demyelinating disease. This article reviewed the characteristics of MRI findings and showed recent topics of the demyelinating diseases.