David Li, MD, FRCPC

“The recommendation is to use a subcallosal plane, which is something that we as radiologists use to prescribe the scans from, and the 3-D is particularly useful from that, because you can angle them any way that you want…that will make life so much easy for everybody because you can compare 1 scan with the other without having to do extra manipulation.”

Following the development of consensus guidelines for the use of MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), Scott D. Newsome, DO, president, Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), director, Neurosciences Consultation and Infusion Center at Green Spring Station, and associate professor of neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; and David Li, MD, FRCPC, professor of radiology, associate member in neurology, and director, Multiple Sclerosis/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, spoke with 

on key points they feel fellow clinicians and neuroradiologists should focus on. 

Li discussed the importance of the protocol, namely the focus on the 3-D aspects, which many MRI scanners are now able to do, to compare scans and save time over the course of treatment. Additionally, Li commented on the recommendation to use the subcallosal plane when scanning, allowing for consistency when comparing scans. From a clinical perspective, Newsome stressed the importance of actually performing MRIs, particularly in the early stages during the course of MS. In terms of consistency, Newsome also spoke on how often MRIs should be performed, with emphasis on doing so at least 3 to 6 months after starting or switching drugs, as well as at the 1-year mark. 

Published and developed by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (MAGNIMS) study group; the CMSC; and the North America Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (NAIMS) MRI Guidelines working group, the guidelines represent international alignment on the use of MRI in patients with MS for the first time.  

Wattjes MP, Ciccarelli O, Reich DS, et al; 2021 MAGNIMS-CMSC-NAIMS consensus recommendations on the use of MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis. 

. Published online June 14, 2021. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00095-8

Videos

In discussion regarding the new MRI consensus guidelines for patients with MS, Scott D. Newsome, DO, and David Li, MD, FRCPC, discuss key points for their peers and colleagues.

MRI in MS, Takeaways for Clinicians and Neuroradiologists: Scott D. Newsome, DO; David Li, MD, FRCPC

“When you come up with a standardized protocol, one of the first things people [ask] is, ‘Is it going to benefit me? Is it going to be faster? Will I be able to save time?’ And so, there’s a lot of education; we need to convince people that not only will this be good for them, in terms of how they’re reading the scans, but it’ll be good for their patients. But more importantly, it’s not going to cost them time.” 

Consensus guidelines for the use of MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) provide opportunities for unification in treatment practices, ultimately providing benefit to patients and providers alike. Scott D. Newsome, DO, president, CMSC, director, Neurosciences Consultation and Infusion Center at Green Spring Station, and associate professor of neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; and David Li, MD, FRCPC, professor of radiology, associate member in neurology, and director, Multiple Sclerosis/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, discussed some of the educational approaches that can be taken in the important processes of implementing standardization practices. 

, Newsome and Li spoke on distributing information to providers who may not be able to attend conferences, as well as familiarizing patients with the guidelines as an invaluable aspect of their treatment. Focus on special populations, namely pediatrics and pregnant patients, is another crucial aspect of the consensus recommendations, according to experts, in providing specified care guidance.

The new protocols were published and developed by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (MAGNIMS) study group; the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC); and the North America Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (NAIMS) MRI Guidelines working group. Developed by experts in North America and Europe in response to technological advancements, new safety data, and numerous clinical updates, the guidelines establish a consensus for the use of MRI in patients with MS for the first time.

Wattjes MP, Ciccarelli O, Reich DS, et al; 2021 MAGNIMS-CMSC-NAIMS consensus recommendations on the use of MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol. Published online June 14, 2021. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00095-8

Implementing new recommendations for the use of MRI in patients with MS will be a challenge in terms of education and adherence; Scott D. Newsome, DO, and David Li, MD, FRCPC, discuss the next steps to increase awareness for both patients and providers.

Adopting Consensus Guidelines for MRI in MS: Scott D. Newsome, DO; David Li, MD, FRCPC 

“I applaud the last 20-plus years…this has not been an insignificant amount of work and number of people that have been involved, where we now finally have a consensus amongst experts, not just here in the Americas, but worldwide."

Experts in multiple sclerosis (MS) have established North American and European consensus recommendations for the use of MRI in patients MS for the first time, allowing for a more unified approach to diagnosis and treatment. The guidelines, published and developed by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (MAGNIMS) study group; the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC); and the North America Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (NAIMS) MRI Guidelines working group, were developed and adopted by experts in response to technological advancements, new safety data, and numerous clinical updates. 

 discussed the updated guidelines with Scott D. Newsome, DO, president, CMSC, director, Neurosciences Consultation and Infusion Center at Green Spring Station, and associate professor of neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; and David Li, MD, FRCPC, professor of radiology, associate member in neurology, and director, Multiple Sclerosis/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia. The pair offered unique commentary from the clinical and neuroradiology perspectives and further discussed the benefits of international adoption and adherence. 

New, uniform protocols are of further benefit when considering scanner manufacturers, who will now have standard, MS-type protocol to follow to foster international consistency. Additionally, patients have the comfort of knowing MS experts have reviewed evidence-based studies, collaborated, and decided on the best procedure for scheduling MRIs, as it relates to medication and treatment routes.

Wattjes MP, Ciccarelli O, Reich DS, et al. 2021 MAGNIMS-CMSC-NAIMS consensus recommendations on the use of MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol. Published online June 14, 2021. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00095-8

Scott D. Newsome, DO, and David Li, MD, FRCPC, discuss the impact of new MRI consensus guidelines for patients with multiple sclerosis.

David Li, MD, FRCPC

Articles

MRI in MS, Takeaways for Clinicians and Neuroradiologists: Scott D. Newsome, DO; David Li, MD, FRCPC

Adopting Consensus Guidelines for MRI in MS: Scott D. Newsome, DO; David Li, MD, FRCPC

MRI in MS Consensus Guidelines: Scott D. Newsome, DO; David Li, MD, FRCPC