Microvascular Abnormality in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Perfusion MR Imaging Findings in Normal-appearing White Matter

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Abstract
PURPOSE: To prospectively determine hemodynamic changes in the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) by using dynamic susceptibility contrast material–enhanced perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional MR imaging (which included acquisition of pre- and postcontrast transverse T1-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and T2-weighted images) and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced T2*-weighted MR imaging were performed in 17 patients with RR-MS (five men and 12 women; median age, 38.4 years; age range, 27.6–56.9 years) and 17 control patients (seven men and 10 women; median age, 42.0 years; age range, 18.7–62.5 years). Absolute cerebral blood volume (CBV), absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF), and mean transit time (MTT) (referenced to an arterial input function by using an automated method) were determined in periventricular, intermediate, and subcortical regions of NAWM at the level of the later...