Increased Signal Intensity in the Dentate Nucleus of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Comparison with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder after Multiple Doses of Gadolinium Contrast

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to compare the effect of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents in the retention in the cerebellar dentate nucleus of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOsd).

Methods: The signal intensity ratio of the pons to the cerebellar dentate nucleus was measured on T1-weighted MRI scans of the brain in 21 MS patients and 6 NMOsd patients given at least 10 doses of gadolinium. Linear regression analysis of the number of doses was then conducted for each patient.

Results: The mean correlation coefficients of the MS and NMOsd patient groups were 0.0029 and -0.0017, respectively, with positive correlations observed in 17 out of 21 patients (81.0%) in the MS group and 2 out of 6 patients (33.3%) in the NMOsd group. Results suggested that significantly high levels of gadolinium accumulate in MS the more doses to the dentate nucleus are increased (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Repeated doses of linear gadolinium cause accumulation of gadolinium in the cerebellar dentate nucleus, but differences observed between MS and NMOsd patients suggested that both the structure of gadolinium and differences in disease pathology affect accumulation.