Photo Credit: koto_feja

The following is a summary of “Multiple Sclerosis lesion detection with 3D Double Inversion Recovery (DIR) as compared to 3D Fluid low attenuation inversion recovery (T2-FLAIR): a systematic review and meta-analysis,” published in the November 2024 issue of Neurology by Mostardeiro et al.  

Detecting lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management. Various imaging techniques, including Double Inversion Recovery (DIR) and T2-Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (T2-FLAIR), are used to improve lesion visibility in the brain.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to compare lesion detection rates between 3D DIR and 3D T2-FLAIR images in people with MS.  

They reviewed studies from the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases (January 1995 to December 2023), focusing on 3D DIR and 3D T2-FLAIR imaging to assess lesion detection in individuals with MS.  

The results showed higher lesion detection for intracortical (175.41(95%-CI): 48.68; 410.16]) and infratentorial lesions (30.56 [95%-CI: 9.34; 55.91]) with DIR. However, no significant differences were found in detecting total cortical lesions (37.35 [95%-CI: -12.47; 115.54]), juxtacortical lesions (25.44 [95%-CI: -32.12; 131.81]), or supratentorial white matter lesions (1.93 [95%-CI: -14.41; 21.39]) between the 2 imaging techniques.  

They concluded that DIR improved the detection of intracortical and infratentorial lesions compared to T2-FLAIR in people with MS.  

Source: msard-journal.com/article/S2211-0348(24)00762-4/abstract