T2 relaxation time histograms in multiple sclerosis

An accurate measurement of the transverse relaxation time T₂, and the histogram of T₂ in the brain parenchyma can be accomplished in vivo using a multi-echo magnetic resonance imaging sequence. An estimate of the error in the T₂ measurement is derived using copper sulfate doped water phantoms. Correction factors are calculated and applied to the signal intensity of each voxel prior to the in vivo T₂ evaluation. These corrected T₂ are in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated from copper sulfate concentrations. This technique is then applied to calculate T₂ histograms of the brain. The population studied was composed of normal volunteers and multiple sclerosis patients. The corrected T₂ histogram method discriminates the normal control population from the MS population, and also discriminates between relapsing-remitting patients and primary progressive or secondary progressive patients. Moreover using this approach we are able to detect in MS patients a global shift of the T₂ of the white mater toward higher values. The results of this study showed that the method is easy to implement and may be used to characterize MS pathology.