Assessment of multiple sclerosis using divided subtracted inversion recovery (dSIR) technique: a quantitative study

Motivation: The dSIR technique provides ultra-high image contrast; However, its usefulness for MS patients needs further study. Goal(s): This study aimed to evaluate dSIR measurements of deep gray matter (GM) nuclei and white matter (WM) lesions in MS patients and analyze their correlation with clinical assessments. Approach: Quantitative values for GM nuclei and WM lesions were measured from their dSIR images. Results: MS patients showed higher dSIR values in GM nuclei than healthy controls (HCs), enabling distinguishing patients from HCs with an area under the curve of about 0.81-0.92. The dSIR values of WM lesions moderately correlated with patients' cognitive and physical disability scores. Impact: The dSIR sequence can effectively quantitatively evaluate the abnormal changes of deep GM nuclei and WM lesions in MS patients and may be used for clinical monitoring of patients' cognitive and disability status.