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  • Walk Your Talk: Real-World ...
    Tortora, Mario; Tranfa, Mario; D’Elia, Anna Chiara; Pontillo, Giuseppe; Petracca, Maria; Bozzao, Alessandro; Caranci, Ferdinando; Cervo, Amedeo; Cosottini, Mirco; Falini, Andrea; Longo, Marcello; Manara, Renzo; Muto, Mario; Porcu, Michele; Roccatagliata, Luca; Todeschini, Alessandra; Saba, Luca; Brunetti, Arturo; Cocozza, Sirio; Elefante, Andrea

    Diagnostics (Basel), 07/2021, Letnik: 11, Številka: 8
    Journal Article

    (1) Although guidelines about the use of MRI sequences for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and follow-up are available, variability in acquisition protocols is not uncommon in everyday clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the real-world application of MS imaging guidelines in different settings to clarify the level of adherence to these guidelines. (2) Via an on-line anonymous survey, neuroradiologists (NR) were asked about MRI protocols and parameters routinely acquired when MS patients are evaluated in their center, both at diagnosis and follow-up. Furthermore, data about report content and personal opinions about emerging neuroimaging markers were also retrieved. (3) A total of 46 participants were included, mostly working in a hospital or university hospital (80.4%) and with more than 10 years of experience (47.9%). We found a relatively good adherence to the suggested MRI protocols regarding the use of T2-weighted sequences, although almost 10% of the participants routinely acquired 2D sequences with a slice thickness superior to 3 mm. On the other hand, a wider degree of heterogeneity was found regarding gadolinium administration, almost routinely performed at follow-up examination (87.0% of cases) in contrast with the current guidelines, as well as a low use of a standardized reporting system (17.4% of cases). (4) Although the MS community is getting closer to a standardization of MRI protocols, there is still a relatively wide heterogeneity among NR, with particular reference to contrast administration, which must be overcome to guarantee an adequate quality of patients’ care in MS.